The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday said it won't allow the entry of raw sugar into the state till all cane is crushed.
"In the larger interest of the farmers the government has decided that import of raw sugar in the state will not be allowed till the time cane crushing is being done," Chief Minister Mayawati said in a statement.
She said her government's decision has been backed by farmers and it was in the interest of consumers. According to Mayawati, the state government was sensitive towards cane farmers. "Time and again directives have been issued to the officers concerned for effective resolution of issues related to the cane farmers," she said.
Divisional commissioners have already been directed to ensure incentive and other benefits, in addition to the state advisory price to the farmers, Mayawati said.
Earlier, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had requested the Uttar Pradesh government to allow entry of raw sugar.
"The state government had already requested the Centre that in the interest of cane farmers, allowing import of raw sugar in Uttar Pradesh was not justified," an official spokesman said. Other than resentment among farmers, import could lead to several other problems, the official said. PTI
