Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Bhagwant Mann Government has sealed the Rana Group-managed Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill in Phagwara for failing to clear ₹27.74 crore in sugarcane payments owed to farmers for the 2021–22 crushing season. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said the government would not remain a silent spectator while farmers were denied their hard-earned money, warning that no mill would be allowed to exploit farmers or operate in violation of the law.
Addressing a press conference, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affair Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak stated, “The Bhagwant Mann government is firmly committed to protecting farmers’ interests and will not tolerate any injustice against them. The Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill in Phagwara, currently managed by the Rana Group, was sealed by the Phagwara administration for failing to clear ₹27.74 crore in outstanding sugarcane payments owed to farmers for the 2021-22 crushing season.”
He shared that farmers had been waiting for their hard-earned money for a long time, resulting in considerable resentment among them. He emphasised, “Farmers work tirelessly to cultivate sugarcane and supply their produce to mills. It is the responsibility of mill management to ensure timely payment for the crops they procure.”
“Farmers work hard to grow their crops, but if a mill purchases their produce and does not pay them, the government cannot remain a silent spectator. The mill has been sealed because it failed to clear the farmers’ dues. I urge the management to immediately release the outstanding payments running into crores of rupees,” Lal Chand Kataruchak asserted.
Reiterating the Bhagwant Mann government’s commitment to farmers, Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak stated, “The Mann government has always stood with farmers and consistently taken important decisions to safeguard their interests. Whether it is the issue of stubble management, paddy and wheat procurement or the supply of canal water, the government has taken several historic decisions to support the farming community.”
Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak further disclosed that complaints had been received that the Phagwara sugar mill was operating without a valid licence. He emphasised, “Operating a sugar mill without the requisite licence is a violation of the law. No mill will be allowed to function in Punjab without fulfilling the necessary legal requirements.”
The Food, Civil Supplies Minister asserted, “We will not allow anyone to exploit farmers or disregard the law. The interests of farmers will remain the top priority of the Bhagwant Mann government, and mill management must ensure that their pending payments are cleared without further delay.”
