Haridwar, Oct. 9 -- A recent spell of early winter rain has caused substantial damage to both standing and sown crops across Haridwar district, farmers have reported. The impact is particularly severe on standing paddy crops, and mustard and sugarcane that were yet to be sown. Farmer unions are demanding adequate compensation for crop losses and a substantial hike in the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane, saying that the increased MSP could help offset losses caused by extended retreating monsoon and early October rains. htc...