Chandigarh, September 9
In the ongoing “sugarcane price war” between Punjab and Haryana, the latter had the last laugh today with the BJP-JJP government announcing a price of Rs 362 per quintal, a marginal hike of Rs 2 over Punjab.
Highest in the country
The sugarcane price has been stable at Rs310 per quintal in Punjab for the past four years. Now that the elections are inching closer, the Congress hiked the price to woo voters. However, Haryana is still offering the highest sugarcane price in the country. — JP Dalal, Agri minister
Hike in rabi crops’ MSP a lollipop: SKM
Karnal: Leaders of the SKM termed the hike in MSP for rabi crops as a lollipop and said the hike was shameful. “Except mustard and lentil (masoor), which had a hike of around 8 per cent, the remaining crops were given very less hike, which is not appropriate with the rising inflation,” said Gurnam Singh Charuni, BKU president and SKM member.
In a clear case of one-upmanship against Punjab, Haryana announced a hike of Rs 12 per quintal over its existing price of Rs 350 (for early variety), making it the highest in the country. Eyeing the upcoming Assembly elections, the Punjab Government recently announced a massive hike of Rs 50 per quintal, taking the state’s sugarcane price to Rs 360 per quintal.
Since then, the Khattar government was on the edge over the quantum of increase in the sugarcane price as the state was already paying Rs 350 per quintal, the highest in the country, before Punjab increased it to Rs 360.
Agriculture Minister JP Dalal said: “The sugarcane price has been stable at Rs 310 per quintal in Punjab for the past four years. Now that the elections are inching closer, the Congress hiked the price to woo voters. However, Haryana is still offering the highest price in the country,” Dalal asserted.
Sources said in the wake of the farmers’ agitation, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar wanted to retain the top position regarding the sugarcane price in the country. “The announcement of Rs 362 per quintal as the sugarcane price has been made on the directions of the Chief Minister, after an approval from the Sugarcane Control Board,” said Cooperation Minister Banwari Lal.
Khattar had publicly expressed displeasure over Punjab farmer leaders, who were spearheading the farm stir at the Singhu and Tikri borders, offering “ladoos” to Capt Amarinder Singh after the announcement of Rs 360 as the sugarcane price by the Punjab Government. — TNS
Haryana increases sugarcane price to Rs 362 per quintal
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