The Uttar Pradesh authorities is contemplating a proposal to extend the sugarcane State Advisory Price (SAP) within the upcoming crushing season scheduled to begin from October.
The state authorities could go in for a cane value revision forward of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A senior authorities official stated that preliminary discussions on the problem have weighed in favour of revising the SAP which has remained unchanged for nearly two years.
The final hike in SAP was accomplished in September 2021, months forward of the 2022 state Assembly elections.
Sources stated that the cane division is predicted to name a gathering quickly to carry a dialogue with the farmers and the millers.
This can be adopted by deliberations by a high-level committee headed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary.
The remaining determination, nonetheless, can be taken by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, sources stated.
Currently, the SAP for the overall number of cane is Rs 340 per quintal, whereas for early and late varieties it’s Rs 350 and Rs 335 per quintal, respectively.
Experts stated that the problem of SAP has primarily been delicate for the state’s western area the place the BJP seeks to consolidate its place amid aggressive posturing by the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
Significantly, the opposition events have been mounting strain on the state authorities to extend the SAP whereas making certain well timed cost of cane dues to the farmers.
Experts stated that the state authorities could search to tread cautiously on revising the SAP — a transfer which is probably fraught with possibilities of cane arrears getting elevated whereas stoking resentment amongst farmers.
Sources stated that the state authorities could take a call solely after assessing the cane cost state of affairs throughout the 2023-24 cane crushing 12 months.
“At present, the cane payment situation is relatively good. It needs to be maintained before any decision on SAP revision is taken, ” stated a senior official within the cane improvement division.
The SAP for sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh is third highest within the nation after Haryana and Punjab.
Both Punjab and Haryana elevated the cane compensation by Rs 20 and Rs 10 per quintal, respectively, within the earlier cane crushing season.