Lakhimpur: Farmers supplying sugarcane to the Bajaj Sugar Mill in Lakhimpur are facing severe financial distress, as the mill has purchased more than 50% of this season’s cane without making any payments, while crores of rupees from the previous season are still pending.
The mill began operations for the current crushing season on November 10, 2025. In a little over two months, it has already procured over half of the season’s sugarcane, yet farmers say they have not received a single rupee for the cane supplied this year. At the same time, substantial dues from the last crushing season remain unpaid.
Farmers pushed to the brink
Affected farmers say the prolonged delay in payments has pushed many families to the edge of hardship. With no income from cane sales, farmers are being forced to take loans from banks and private sources to manage daily expenses, children’s education, medical treatment, farming costs and social obligations such as weddings.
Massive dues in the current season
So far this season, the Bajaj Sugar Mill has purchased 69.79 lakh quintals of sugarcane, creating a payment liability of around ₹276.85 crore. Despite rules mandating that farmers must be paid within 14 days of cane procurement, no payments have been made for the current crushing season.
Under existing norms, mills are required to pay interest on delayed payments, but farmers say this has not provided any relief.
Previous season dues still unpaid
During the last crushing season, the mill procured 129.59 lakh quintals of sugarcane, amounting to total dues of ₹476.20 crore. While payments up to February 15 were cleared, around ₹60.38 crore from the previous season is still outstanding.
Growing anger among farmers
Farmers associated with the Bajaj Sugar Mill say repeated appeals for payment have gone unheard. With both current and past dues pending, they warn that continued delays could worsen rural distress and trigger protests if authorities fail to intervene soon.
