Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh: Farmers held a mahapanchayat at the main gate of Bilai Sugar Mill in Bijnor on Monday to protest against the alleged delay in payment of sugarcane dues. Farmers claimed that around ₹86 crore in cane payments remains outstanding with the mill and said the delay is affecting farming activities, household expenses and their children’s education.
The mahapanchayat was organised under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. Farmers expressed strong dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in receiving payments and warned that the agitation could be expanded if the outstanding dues were not cleared soon.
During the meeting, Kisan Sangharsh Morcha youth state president Vikas Chaudhary, Sanatan Shaurya Sangh national president Mahant Bhupendra Singh and district president Vikas Kumar, also known as Noori, said that the pending sugarcane payments have created serious financial difficulties for farmers. They said farmers need timely payments not only to manage household expenses and children’s education but also to purchase agricultural inputs and prepare for the next crop.
The farmers demanded that the mill clear the pending cane payments within 14 days and ensure payment of all dues up to February. They also demanded verification of the sugar mill’s records for the past 30 years and submission of the verified data to the administration so that issues related to interest payments could also be resolved. Farmers further sought subsidies on pesticides and other relief measures.
Following information about the mahapanchayat, Bilai Sugar Mill’s Cane General Manager Subhash Tomar, along with Mukesh Rathi, secretary of the Cooperative Cane Development Society, Haldaur, and other officials reached the spot. Farmers demanded that the District Cane Officer and senior administrative officials also attend the meeting.
Tehsildar Ashish Saxena and District Cane Officer Brijesh Pathak subsequently reached the mill. Four rounds of discussions were held between farmers and officials regarding the pending sugarcane payments and other demands.
During the talks, administrative officials assured the farmers that all outstanding sugarcane payments up to February would be cleared by September 7. Officials also assured the farmers that their other demands would be considered and resolved as far as possible.
After receiving the assurance, the farmers ended their protest and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands. However, they warned that the agitation could be intensified if the promised payment schedule is not followed. 
The mahapanchayat was chaired by Bharat Singh Pradhan and conducted by Nardev Singh. Several farmer leaders and farmers, including Bhartiya Kisan Union Jan Shakti district president Narpal Singh, BKU district president Suresh Chahal, Bhupendra Chahal, Anil Kumar, Binny Chaudhary, Brahmpal Singh, Imran Chaudhary, Rajiv Tyagi, Mustaqeem, Sanjeev Kumar, Devendra Singh, Malkhan and Munendra Singh, participated in the protest.
The ₹86 crore sugarcane payment issue at Bilai Sugar Mill highlights the continuing financial pressure faced by farmers when cane dues remain unpaid for extended periods. Farmers are now awaiting the administration’s September 7 deadline for clearing the outstanding payments.
