Call to mandate timely FRP payments in Sugarcane Control Act 2026
Prof. Suhas Patil has urged Maharashtra to introduce stricter provisions in the proposed Sugarcane Control Act–2026 to ensure timely FRP payments to farmers. He demanded criminal action against defaulting sugar mill officials, strict enforcement of delayed payment interest, uniform harvesting charges, and faster recovery of pending dues to protect farmers’ financial interests.
Amid rising concern over delayed payments to sugarcane farmers, Prof. Suhas Patil, a member of the Maharashtra State Sugarcane Price Control Board, has called for strict provisions in the proposed Sugarcane Control Act–2026 to ensure mills clear dues on time and are held accountable.
Patil submitted a representation to Dr. Sanjay Kolte, Sugar Commissioner of Maharashtra, stating that several sugar mills continue to delay Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payments even after the crushing season has ended, pushing farmers into financial distress, Agrowon reported.
In his submission, Patil has demanded legal provisions that would allow direct criminal cases to be filed against key officials of sugar mills—including chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, managing directors, general managers and board members—if FRP dues are not cleared within 90 days of the end of the season.
He also sought a uniform rate across the state for harvesting and transportation charges, which are deducted from farmers’ payments. Highlighting another concern, Patil said that the increase in the recovery base from 8.5 percent to 10.25 percent has adversely affected farmers and should be rolled back to 8.5 percent.
Patil further stressed that the existing rule mandating 15 percent interest on delayed payments must be strictly enforced. He also proposed a clear timeline of 90 to 100 days for district collectors and revenue authorities to recover pending dues from mills.
He added that the Sugar Commissioner’s office should introduce binding measures to control sugar production costs, saying such steps are necessary to protect farmers and bring greater discipline to the sector.
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Source : Chinimandi
