Wholesale sugar prices have increased by about 32 percent in western Uttar Pradesh just before the festivals, creating worries for consumers and the government.
Farmers have started an indefinite protest at district sugarcane officer offices and cooperative sugarcane development committees following a call by the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Organisation.
Farmers are demanding a 15 percent annual interest on delayed payments spanning thirty years, referencing a high court order issued on July 16 based on a contempt petition by organization convenor Sardar V.M. Singh.
Protesting farmers submitted formal application forms containing their sugarcane committee details, farmer codes, villages, and mobile numbers to demand transparent year-wise and farmer-wise records.
Administrative officials are trying to show a limited record of only the past three years, while farmers demand the complete three-decade authentic account according to the court order.
M-grade sugar ex-factory prices in major wholesale markets like Muzaffarnagar have jumped from 4,400 rupees to 5,800 rupees per quintal, with retail prices reaching 58 to 60 rupees per kilo.
The central government implemented a stock limit of 4,000 rupees for traders from August 1 to November 30 and issued a warning of action under the Essential Commodities Act on August 1, yet the market surge continues.
