Sweet Settlements: Sugar Mills Clear 99% of Cane Dues

In the 2024-25 sugar season's first 70 days, sugar mills paid Rs 8,126 crore to farmers. Currently, Rs 3,015 crore remains unpaid, mainly in Karnataka. Policy efforts have reduced arrears, leading to 99% of the previous season's dues cleared. Total cane price stands at Rs 11,141 crore.

Sugar mills have disbursed Rs 8,126 crore to sugarcane farmers within the initial 70 days of the 2024-25 sugar season, according to Food Minister Pralhad Joshi's statement in Parliament.

By December 13, the remaining cane price to be paid totaled Rs 11,141 crore, with Rs 3,015 crore still pending. Karnataka faces the highest backlog, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The government attributes the decline in arrears to effective policy measures, with 99 per cent of the previous season's dues now settled.

(With inputs from agencies.)