Lucknow, Nov. 21 -- The sugarcane price payments have begun at the new rates announced by the UP government. Meanwhile, in the current 2025-26 crushing season, 114 sugar mills have issued indents for sugarcane purchases, and crushing operations have officially begun at 104 sugar mills, said a press release. So far, 29 sugar mills in the state have paid Rs.513.96 crore for the current 2025-26 crushing season directly into the accounts of sugarcane farmers. All district sugarcane officers have been directed to immediately submit the surprise inspections/investigation reports to headquarters regarding the establishment of sugarcane purchasing centres at 23 cooperative and three corporation sugar mills, the timely purchase and lifting of sugarcane, and the presence of weighmen at the purchasing centers. htc...