On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, a sum of Rs 71 Crore has been released through banks for making immediate payment of outstanding sugar cane arrears to the farmers due towards the owners of six private sugar mills in the state.Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister office said that out of Rs. 206 Crore due towards these private Sugar mills, the balance amount of Rs. 135 Crore would also be released shortly through the banks by furnishing state guarantee.It may be recalled that the state government had already approved a soft loan of Rs. 200 Crore on the government guarantee and requisite order had also been issued in this regard. The Chief Minister has directed the state cane commissioner to hold a joint meeting with the owners of the private sugar mills and the representative of the banks shortly to ensure that the remaining payment was also released to the cane growers without any delay.