Sugarcane Minister Suresh Rana informed the Vidhan Sabha that Uttar Pradesh’s share in total sugar production in India this fiscal was 38 per cent and this had never happened before.

He said this was possible only because the state government had cleared the cane arrears systematically.

Replying to an adjournment motion, Rana said that in comparison to last few years, cane production had gone up in the state because the government was sensitive to farmers and was clearing their arrears in a systematic manner.

“You do not need rocket science to understand why the cane crop area has increased this year. Farmers have opted for cane because they are getting good price of their produce. This never happened during the previous regimes. Thus, UP’s share in total sugar production this year rose up to 38 per cent, which is a record,” he said.

Replying to the issue raised by Congress legislature Party leader Ajay Kumar lallu, Rana churned out figures, saying that Rs 13,333 crore was paid as cane arrears in 2014-15, Rs 16,101 crore in 2015-16. He said Rs 23,517 crore cane arrears were cleared in 2016-17 while the government paid Rs 25,125 crore as cane arrears in 2017-18.

“There has been a systematic improvement in clearing cane arrears in the Bharatiya Janata Party rule. Even in the supplementary budget, the government has earmarked Rs 5,535 crore to clear the cane arrears,” the minister said.

Not satisfied with the answer, the Congress members staged a walkout.

Reservation:  The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party staged a walkout in Vidhan Sabha alleging irregularities in implementation of the reservation policy in the appointment of teachers.

The issue was raised through an adjournment motion by leader of opposition Ram Govind Chowdhary. He said the state government had implemented the University Grants Commission directives under which appointment of teachers were made through roster system. This, he said, had deprived many people of availing reservation benefits.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said that the UGC order was issued in 2016 and was implemented by the Samajwadi Party government and the BJP government had nothing to do with it.

Not satisfied with the answer, the SP and BSP members staged a walkout.

Bail: The House passed the IPC (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2018 allowing the lower courts to grant anticipatory bail with a rider. 

The members questioned the need to introduce the bill in such a hurry and suggested that it be referred to the Select Committee of the House and asked give its decision within a month’s time.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the bill had all the safeguards in place and would result in speedy judgement. 

later, the bill was passed by voice vote.