Bhopal, Mar 3: Ruling BJP legislator Jalam Singh Patel today staged a walk out of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly alleging that the government was not resolving the problems of sugarcane growers. Raising the matter through a call attention notice, Patel said sugarcane growers were not getting appropriate price for their crop forcing some peasants to commit suicide.

Rejecting allegations that sugarcane growers were being neglected, Agriculture Minister Gopal Bhargava said the government was concerned over sugarcane growers, who were getting appropriate price. However, he admitted, sugarcane growers were facing problems due to shortage of sugar mills as compared to sugarcane crop.

''The government was making efforts to get new sugar mills established. All possible assistance would be provided to anyone in private or cooperative sector interested in opening up sugar mills. Besides, efforts were being made to increase the capacity of existing mills,'' he said.

Patel staged a walk out alleging that false information was being provided. In his written statement, Bhargava said sugarcane was grown in 50,800-hectare area in 2005-06 and 63,200-hectare area in 2006-07. According to initial information, sugar had grown in 92,800-hectare area in 2007-08. He said this has proved that sugarcane growers were enthusiastic.

Patel has been suspended from the BJP due to anti-party activities. However, he technically remains a BJP member.