The Centre has directed states to take action against those sugar
mill owners who failed to pay dues to sugarcane farmers within two
weeks. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the dues
amounted to 9000 crore rupees.

He said out of the total dues, 5,741
crore rupees accounted as dues to sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh. He was making a statement in the Lok Sabha in response to a Calling Attention
Motion on the need to correct the price fixation mechanism for sugarcane and
agricultural produce across the country.

Initiating the discussion
Satya Pal Singh of the BJP demanded an effective price fixation
mechanism. He suggested the Food Corporation of India purchase
sugar for the Public Distribution System. His party colleague, Ms. Krishna
Raj, expressed apprehension that the non – payment of dues to farmers may
lead to law and order situation.