The government will increase the prices of sugarcane. A decision will be made in the coming days after the approval of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Dalal said, according to an official statement.

 

He was speaking after chairing the meeting of the Sugarcane Control Board here.

 

Dalal said that sugarcane prices have always been the highest in the country in Haryana.

 

The Haryana government had in January this year announced a Rs 10 per quintal hike in sugarcane price, raising the crop's rate to Rs 372 a quintal.

 

Meanwhile, Dalal, when asked about the incidents of burning paddy straw in Haryana being blamed by some for causing pollution in the national capital, said that incidents of stubble burning in Haryana are fewer "as against 4-5 times more incidents happening in Punjab".

 

"This fact has also been revealed by NASA's satellite images," he told reporters.

 

Attention should be paid to stop incidents of burning paddy straw in neighbouring states, said the minister.

 

"Haryana government has done remarkable work in managing paddy straw. Machines are available for farmers to make bales and they are provided subsidies. Therefore, Haryana farmers should not be defamed," he said.

 

Replying to another question, Dalal said that there is no shortage of fertilizer in the state.

 

In the last year, during September-October, 2.23 metric tonnes of fertilizer were distributed to farmers, whereas this year, 2.46 metric tonnes have been distributed. There is a current stock of 50,000 metric tonnes, he said.

 

Meanwhile, on sugarcane issue, Dalal said the Haryana government has made a payment of Rs 2,819 crore to sugarcane farmers during the 2022-23 crushing season.

 

The minister said that during the meeting, discussions were held in detail regarding future plans, including the situation of sugarcane farmers and mills, sugar prices, and an assessment of the previous year.