Chandigarh, Feb 27 (IANS): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said the state's sugarcane price, at Rs 340 per quintal, was the highest in the country.

Replying to the calling attention notice during the Budget session of the Assembly here, he said to further enhance the sugarcane price, the state is taking measures, including increasing the income of both the cooperative and private sugar mills in a phased manner.

Khattar said though the recovery of sugar mills have been increased up to 12 per cent, efforts are being made to further enhance it as the rate of sugarcane largely depends upon the financial condition of sugar mills.

The Chief Minister said it is for the first time in last several years that the price of sugar has increased to Rs 3,000 per quintal. "If this price continues to increase in a similar way and reached to Rs 3,300 per quintal, the state would be able to increase the sugarcane price next year," he added.