Congress party has always been sensitive to the issues of farmers. It was at the initiative of Rahul Gandhi that the sugar cane arrears were paid to the sugar cane farmers of UP.

After the new Ordinance was issued by GOI a delegation of sugar cane growers led by Mrs Rita Bahuguna PCC President UP Congress and Digvijaya Singh, General Secretary AICC had met Minister for Agriculture Shard Pawar to convey the sentiments of sugar cane growers of UP. They requested the GOI to reconsider the Ordinance in view of the strong protest by sugar cane growers in UP. Sharad Pawar explained the reasons behind the issuance of Ordinance and assured the delegation that in no way this Ordinance will affect the price to be paid to the farmers by Sugar mills. Each sugar mill would have to negotiate an optimum price with farmers in view of the prevailing high prices of sugar in the open market and assured us that farmers would not get anything below Rs.180 per quintal in UP.

The protest of farmers by some political parties was more for political purpose than anything else.

Today morning Rahul Gandhi has met PM to convey the sentiments of the sugar cane growers in UP. PM has assured him that GOI would look into the matter again and assured that if it is in the interest of farmers the Ordinance would be suitably amended.

Congress Party appeals to all sugar cane growers of UP to have faith in pro farmer policies of UPA Government and assures them that it would ensure highest possible sugar cane price in the present context.




(Digvijaya Singh)

General Secretary, AICC