Sugarcane farmers padlock Mahalaxmi Sugar mill

            Sarlahi: Sugarcane farmers here have padlocked the office of the Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill located at Godaita municipality-6 in the district, reasoning it failed to pay them for their produce.

            The mill has not paid the Rs 200 million due since last year. The farmers closed the mill, demanding it to pay them as per the agreement made with its owner.  They stressed they must be paid as per the price fixed by the government Rs 535 per quintal, said Mukesh Thakur, one among the farmers waging struggle by forming a committee.

            The mill owner Birendra Kanaudiya ignored the sugarcane farmers’ demands, which resulted in the closure of the mill, according to Mayor Devendra Yadav of Godaina municipality. He added that the mill owner pushing the farmers, who had taken loan for sugarcane cultivation, to the suicidal state would be taken action.

            At a time when the farmers are claiming Rs 200 million, owner Kanaudiya has been arguing that he was to pay them no more than Rs 160 million. Kanaudiya further said if the farmers were ready to accept Rs 160 million, he would pay them by coming Monday.

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