Subsidy amount to be transferred to sugarcane farmers' account by Thursday

Kathmandu, Aug 27: The government has released a total amount of Rs 754.93 million to provide subsidy for sugarcane farmers. 

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has released the subsidy payment which will be transferred to the beneficiaries' account through the district-based Treasury and Financial Comptroller offices, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD).

Although the Cabinet meeting had earlier decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 35 per quintal to sugarcane farmers, the MoF delayed the disbursement citing technical issues. 

The delay prompted the disgruntled sugarcane farmers to stage Kathmandu-centric protest programmes. Also, the government's decision to halve the subsidy-previously Rs 70 per quintal-further fueled their decision to take to street.

Although MoALD had proposed continuing the same amount this year as well, the Cabinet meeting decided to provide Rs 35 per quintal taking into account the country's current economic condition and needs.

Meanwhile, representatives of the MoALD and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and protesting sugarcane farmers held a talk on Tuesday at Singha Durbar. 

Lalan Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture, and Lal Kumar Shrestha and Maniratna Aryal, Under-Secretaries of the MoALD among others represented the government side while Shyam Babu Raya led the sugarcane farmers in the talk. 

It may be noted that Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari on last Tuesday had formed a four-member team in a bid to address the demands of protesting sugarcane farmers. (RSS)