Uttar Pradesh sugar mills seek govt help, concerned about next season

Burdened with falling prices, rising arrears and credit woes, they want rescue package and more viable pricing

Facing the double whammy of falling sugar prices and mounting payment arrears to cane farmers, private sugar companies in Uttar Pradesh say they will have a problem in resuming operations in the next season.

They are not participating in the ongoing field surveys, done in consort with the state’s sugarcane department to prepare for the next season (starting October 1). The current cane crushing season should conclude at the end of this month but the mills say they are quite unable to pay even current dues, let alone past ones.

UP Sugar Mills Association has asked for a meeting with the chief