After blocking the Sangrur-Ludhiana road on the Babbanpur canal bridge forsix days, cane growers finally lifted the blockade on Sunday evening after the Dhuri sugar mill authorities announced that they would release Rs 1.50 crore daily from Monday.
“We lifted the blockadeas the mill authorities, after the intervention of administration, agreed to release Rs 1.5 crore daily from Monday,” said Anwar Bhasaur, AAP leader.
On February 21, after the intervention of the Sangrur administration, the Dhuri sugar mill had agreed to release Rs 1 crore daily. However, dissatisfied with the offer, protesters had refused to lift theirblockade. Earlier on Sunday, Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema and BKU Lakhowal chief Ajmer Singh Lakhowal visitedthe protesters to extend their support. Cane growers asked him to raise the issue in the Assembly.
The farmers were demanding the release of payments amounting toRs 58.50 crore which have been pending from two years. Out of this amount, Rs 10 crore is to be paid by the Punjab Government. Under the banner of Ganna Sangharsh Committee, these farmers had blocked the Sangrur-Ludhiana road on Babbanpur canal bridge since last Tuesday.