4 years ago
Committee on Industry and Commerce and Labor and Consumer Affairs under House of Representatives has directed government to address problem of sugarcane farmers within a month.
Committee meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday directed Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to resolve the issue of sugarcane farmers' wages within a month in coordination with other ministries.
Committee had been discussing the issue with concerned bodies for a long time after Shree Ram Sugar Mills of Rautahat did not pay the dues to sugarcane farmers.
Meeting also directed concerned ministry to make arrangements for immediate payment of some amount to sugarcane farmers and laborers as it is the festive season.
At meeting, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies and CPN (Maoist) leader Lekhraj Bhatta said that mills would get continuity if they could provide relief to the troubled sugar mills.
Minister Bhatta said that industrial sector in Nepal would collapse if the properties of ailing industries were sold. Minister Bhatta said that government was committed to solve the problems of farmers.
Earlier, farmers had demanded Rs 41 crore from the industry. Golchha Organization had decided to close down 26-year-old Shree Ram Sugar Mills in Garuda, Rautahat, citing annual losses. As a result, 325 workers have lost their jobs and farmers have not been able to get their dues for years.
