Kathmandu.The sugar mills have failed to clear the arrears, deferring the due payments to the sugarcane farmers yet again.

Sugarcane farmers, agitated after not having received their payments, have resumed their protests at Maitighar in Kathmandu from Sunday.

The government and sugarcane farmers had agreed in January last year to transfer the money to the farmers’ bank accounts. Farmers protested at Maitighar in early November this year  after the agreement was not implemented.

The farmers had stated in their memo to the concerned ministry that if their deferred payments were not cleared before the Chhath festival, they would gather at the Maitighar Mandala in thousands and stage their protest.

Addressing the agitating sugarcane farmers’ demand, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta had said that the sugar mill owners who deny the payment  of dues to the farmers would be arrested.

Either the words of the minister went to deaf ears or the minister’s declaration itself was a farce, its up to the government to find out.  The problems of the farmers, however, remain the same. And they are here, protesting in the heart of the capital city, making their rightful claim.

The sugarcane farmers have said this time they would not return home until the sugar mills cleared the arrears.