The Vigilance Bureau of Punjab, in the course of its investigations, has uncovered a distressing situation regarding the Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill in Phagwara, Kapurthala district.
The mill, previously known as Wahid Sandhar Sugar Mills, has failed to settle outstanding payments to cane farmers for the past four years, accumulating a staggering debt of approximately Rs 40 Crores 71 Lakhs 68 Thousand.
As per reports, farmers are burdened by Rs 40 Crores in unpaid dues, while being mystified by unexpected Kisan Credit Card loans, raising concerns in Phagwara’s cane-growing community. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau is closely monitoring the situation to protect farmers’ interests.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state Vigilance Bureau said this issue has come to light just as the upcoming cane crop crushing season is set to begin in the first week of November.
Despite repeated demands from hardworking cane farmers, Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill, under its previous management by Wahid Sandhar Sugar Mills, has continued to neglect its financial obligations.
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Moreover, a concerning development is that farmers are now receiving legal notices from IDBI Bank Phagwara, urging them to repay KCC (Kisan Credit Card) loans totaling Rs 3,00,000 each to the bank. What baffles the farmers is that they have no recollection of seeking loans or utilizing loan funds from the bank.
In essence, this dire situation has led to cane farmers suffering substantial losses, with their produce's (cane) value amounting to an unpaid sum of Rs 40 Crores 71 Lakhs 68 Thousand. Simultaneously, approximately 600 farmers find themselves ensnared in KCC loan liabilities, with each farmer being held liable for Rs 3,00,000, apparently under the mill's guarantorship.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau continues to monitor the situation closely, with the hope of achieving a resolution that serves the best interests of the farmers, he added.