Key Takeaways:

• Rs 70 million subsidy for sugarcane farmers faces lapse
• Over 4,500 farmers entitled to Rs 70 per quintal
• Farmers staged sit-in and road blockade in Gaur

RAUTAHAT, JULY 16 Sugarcane farmers in Rautahat have launched protests after the distribution of more than Rs 70 million in government subsidies was delayed, raising fears that the allocated budget could lapse before reaching beneficiaries. The farmers accused Assistant Chief District Officer Jitendra Kumar Yadav of negligence and inaction, alleging that despite the funds being released by the government, the subsidy distribution process has not moved forward. Under the government's subsidy scheme, sugarcane growers are entitled to Rs 70 per quintal. More than 4,500 farmers are due to receive the payment, and the funds have already been transferred to the District Treasury and Controller Office for nearly two weeks.

However, farmers said the four-member committee responsible for distributing the subsidy-headed by the assistant chief district officer and comprising representatives from the treasury office, tax office and Agriculture Knowledge Centre-has failed to complete the necessary procedures, despite all required documents having been submitted. In protest, farmers led by Rautahat Sugarcane Farmers' Association Chair Ashok Yadav staged a sit-in outside the District Administration Office in Gaur until late Wednesday night. They later blocked the Gaur–Chandrapur road by burning tyres at Jhajh Bridge, demanding the immediate release of the subsidy.

The protesting farmers warned of intensified demonstrations if the issue is not resolved, saying the authorities would be held responsible if the subsidy budget lapses without being disbursed. Chief District Officer Dinesh Sagar Bhusal said he could not directly intervene because the authority to distribute the subsidy rests with the committee chaired by the assistant chief district officer. He said repeated coordination efforts had failed to produce a consensus and that discussions were underway with the concerned ministry to resolve the issue. 'We hope to reach a positive conclusion by this afternoon. Some more time is needed,' Bhusal said.