Punjab increases sugarcane SAP by Rs 11 per quintal; CM Mann terms it ‘shagun’
Chandigarh, December 1: The Punjab government declared a rise in the State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane, escalating it by Rs 11 per quintal. CM Bhagwant Mann termed this hike to Rs 391 per quintal as a customary gesture known as “shagun” in Punjab. The decision comes in response to demands from sugarcane growers before the onset of the cane crushing season in November.
Meanwhile, in Punjab’s Jalandhar, farmers persist in their highway blockade demanding an increase in sugarcane prices, marking the protest’s fourth consecutive day on Friday. Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, has scheduled a meeting today at his official residence around noon to engage with the farmer union leaders regarding this ongoing issue.
This gathering comes after the Chief Minister extended an invitation to farmers for discussions two days ago, urging them to refrain from road blockades that inconvenience the general public. Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba) spearheads the protest, staging a ‘dharna’ for the past four days, causing an obstruction in the Jalandhar-Phagwara section of the highway, leading to disruptions in traffic between Jalandhar and Delhi.
The demonstration in Jalandhar has significantly impacted the movement of vehicles commuting from Jammu, Pathankot, and Amritsar, en route to Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Nawanshahr, and Delhi.
Further intensifying their stance, protesting farmers obstructed a segment of the railway track near Dhanowali village in Jalandhar on Thursday, resulting in disruptions to train services, as confirmed by officials.