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.