Shri Ram Sugar Mill pays Rs 250 million to farmers

KATHMANDU: Sugar mills have finally started paying due of farmers.

Following constant protests by sugarcane farmers and pressure from the government, mill owners have started paying outstanding due of cane farmers.

Among others, Shri Ram Sugar Mill and Annapurna Sugar Mill have started paying due payment to the farmers. The operators of Mahalaxmi Sugal Mills, Lumbini Sugar Mills, and Indira Sugar Mill have not been contacted yet.

So far, Shri Ram Sugar Mill has transferred Rs 250 million to the farmer’s account. Meanwhile, Annapurna Sugar Mill has transferred Rs 50 million so far to the farmer’s account.

According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, the Annapurna Sugar Mill, which has been in operation for six years, has yet to pay Rs 170 million to pay farmers.

Similarly, Indira Sugar Mill has arrears of Rs 47 million, Mahalakshmi Sugar Mill has Rs 2 million and Lumbini Sugar Mill has arrears of Rs 84.1 million.

However, six sugar mills have claimed that about Rs 900 million is yet to be paid to the sugarcane farmers.