Nawalparasi West, April 3 -- Sudama Gupta, a resident of ward 9 of Pratappur Rural Municipality in Nawalparasi West district, has yet to receive payment for the sugarcane he sold two years ago.

Gupta, who sold his crop to Indira Sugar Mill on credit, has repeatedly approached the industry, the local municipality and the district administration seeking payment. Although he had hoped to be paid this year, the mill's failure to resume operations this season has left him worried that both his labour and investment will go to waste.

The mill owes more than Rs 1 million to Gupta's family alone. "I took out loans to plant the crop and sold it to the mill on credit, only to be forced to wander like this for payment," Gupta said. "The owners hav...