Lucknow, Nov 03: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has expressed unhappiness over the non-payment of dues to the sugarcane farmers in the state and has asked the concerned officials to release the dues with any further delay. While holding a review meeting with the cane development and sugar industries officials yesterday, the Chief Minister directed that during the next sugarcane crushing season, the sugar mills should function properly and till the sugarcane was available in the fields, the crushing should be continued, according to a release. He asked the officials not to tolerate any laxity in solving the problems of the cane farmers and said the payment of dues was the priority of the government.

Meanwhile, the sugar mills officials informed during the meeting that due to the loss of Rs 198 crore to the mills last year, the dues could not be paid. However, the Chief Minister said the officials guilty for the problem should be brought to limelight and action should be taken against them. Bureau Report