Bijnor: A crucial meeting between the management of two sugar mills, farmers’ groups and the district administration here on Saturday resulted in a deadlock as the mills continued to declare their intent of not starting work in the next crushing season. This has led a considerable amount of uncertainty among sugarcane farmers The reason for the mills’ stand, according to sources, is the ongoing inquiry by the Uttar Pradesh government into the mills’ takeover by the Pont Chadha Group during the Mayawati government in 2010.According to officials at the mills, during the non-crushing period huge amount of expenditure is incurred for the overhauling of the entire mill machinery and this exercise will go waste if the government takes over the mills.There are nine sugar factories in the district. Of these, repairs work has been stopped in two mills at Bijnor and Chandpur. Earlier, the administration was claiming that both mills would start functioning and repair work also be begun soon.To sort out the matter, the district administration had called a meeting of the authorities of these mills and farmers. During the meeting, chief general manager of both mills Tejveer Singh Dhaka reiterated his old statement and passed the buck to the state government.Dhaka said, “The government set up an inquiry into the process by which these mills were purchased. As a result, there is uncertainty over the operation of the mills. Following this, banks have also declined to give us loans and we are unable to pay the dues of the farmers. The government should clear its stand. Our management earlier had sent a letter to state government about this issue.”Talking to TOI, national convenor of Azad Kisan Union, Rajendra Singh said, “There were two issues discussed at the meeting. First was operation of the mills and second was clearing of sugarcane dues. Neither issue could be resolved. The mills owners have declined to re-start operations, citing the probe. We have warned the administration that we will launch an agitation after August 15 if our demands are not met.”District magistrate Atal Rai has directed the mill authorities to start repair work soon and clear the dues quickly. Rai said, “Strict action will be taken against the mill authorities if repair work is not started and payment is not cleared.”

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