The State Government has set a deadline for the private sugar factories to clear all the arrears payable to farmers, besides initiating measures for early payment of dues from the cooperative sugar factories.

Agriculture Minister P. Pulla Rao said NSC had to pay Rs.13 crore arrears to farmers, while M.P. Company was to pay Rs.5.46 crore dues and they have been instructed to clear the dues before January 31. J.P. Company, which has to pay Rs.13 crore arrears has been directed to pay before December 20.

In addition to this, efforts were being made to clear all the arrears from cooperative sugar factories at the earliest. The issue will be taken up with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for early disposal of arrears for the convenience of farmers, Mr. Pulla Rao said.

He conducted a meeting with farmers, authorities and sugar factories managements here on Tuesday and expressed displeasure over the delay on the part of private sugar factories in clearing the arrears.

“Sugar cane farmers were facing lot of issues and as a result, sugarcane acreage was considerably declining in the State,” he informed.

During 2005-06, sugar cane was cultivated in 1.79 lakh hectares in the State and in 2014-15 it declined to 1.11 lakh hectares.

The Government is committed to support the farmers and accordingly, 88.50 lakh metric tonne yield was produced and of these, 57 lakh metric tonne could be used for sugar manufacturing and the rest for jaggery and other bye products, Mr. Pulla Rao said.

During the meeting, farmers demanded the government to fix the State Advisory Price and extend support on par with neighbouring States.

They also wanted the government to increase minimum support price of jaggery to be increased from Rs.2700 per tonne to Rs.3500.

He responded positively and said all the issues would be taken up with the Chief Minister and their grievances would be addressed at the earliest.