Chief Minister Harish Rawat today asked private sugar mills of Uttarakhand to pay 50 per cent of the dues to sugarcane growers of the state till Monday or face action. 

The deadline for clearance of dues to sugarcane growers was set by Rawat after his meeting with a delegation of farmers at his residence here. 

Assuring farmers that the state government will "stand by them through thick and thin", Rawat said necessary legal action will be initiated against private sugar mill owners who fail to meet the Monday deadline for paying 50 per cent of dues to them. 

"We (state government) have no control over fall in sugar prices often cited as the reason for non-payment of dues to sugarcane growers. 

However, we make it clear to private sugarmill owners to meet the deadline set for clearance of dues or face legal action," an official release quoting Rawat said. 

Describing Uttarakhand as one of the states which pays the highest price for sugarcane, he said it is also paying a bonus of Rs 2 per quintal to sugarcane growers.