Sugarcane farmers in Punjab are still awaiting payments exceeding Rs 3 billion, as revealed in the Punjab Cane Commissioner’s audit report for the fiscal year 2024–25.
According to the report, during the fiscal year 2023–24, mill owners failed to pay Rs 3.0469 billion owed to farmers, despite the legal requirement to make full payments within 15 days of purchasing sugarcane.
The audit also found that mill owners purchased sugarcane at prices lower than the official government rate — a clear violation of regulated pricing laws.
The total outstanding amount owed to farmers has now exceeded Rs 3.05 billion.
These revelations emerged during the Punjab Cane Commissioner’s audit.
The concerned department was informed of the situation in October 2024, but no response was received by December 2024, after which the audit report was finalized.
