PONDA: Sugarcane farmers in Goa who are suppliers to the Sanjivani Sugar Factory are facing hardships and are unable to pay back their loans on time. They attribute this to the delay on the part of the at Dharbandora based sugar factoring in clearing their bills to the tune of Rs 96 lakh for the sugar cane supplied by them for crushing in the month of February.
The farmers further explain that they obtain the loans for cultivation and harvesting of the sugarcane and that they clear their loans by way of selling their produce at the end of the crushing season, which usually takes place over three months.
Sources have stated that there around 1,200 farmers in Goa from whom the State owned Sanjivani Sugar Factory purchases sugarcane. This year, the farmers have sold a total amount of 35347 tonnes of sugarcane to the factory during the crushing season from December to February. However, they claim that they have only been paid for the sugarcane sold to the factor in the months of December and January, but the payment of Rs 96 lakhs for the 8000 tonne of sugarcane supplied in February is still pending. While the management had assured to clear the same, they are yet to receive their dues and the farmers have questioned the long delay.
Furthermore, the farmers are have also questioned why 50 per cent of the farmers, have not been given subsidy towards sugarcane supply. They point out that each farmer is given Rs 3,000 per tonne of sugarcane supplied, out of which Rs 1,200 is paid by the factory while Rs 1,800 is the subsidy by the government. The president of the Sugarcane Farmers Association has listed these reasons as to why they are struggling to pay their loans.
Meanwhile sources connected to the Sugar Factory have attributed the delay as officials have been busy and that files with the government are not moving as the election code of conduct is in force.
