Lucknow: The Congress today slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for `appeasing' sugarmill owners, while at the same time failing to announce sugarcane prices.

"The ruling coalition has once again failed to come to the rescue of cane farmers who continue to suffer following government apathy," U.P. Congress chief spokesperson A.P. Singh said here.

He claimed while the government was quick in announcing the molasses policy for the benefit of sugarmill owners, it failed to announce fresh cane prices.

"The crushing season is on...only the Chief Minister knows the reason for not announcing the cane prices. The farmers are sceptical and unsure of returns," Mr Singh alleged.

The Congress spokesperson reminded the government that Amethi MP and AICC member Rahul Gandhi had to raise the issue in Lok Sabha, which `forced' the Mulayam government to clear old dues of cane growers.

"The government should not wait for Opposition to interfere. It must keep the interests of the farming community on top of agenda as farmers are the soul of Uttar Pradesh's economy," he quipped. -- UNI

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