Rs 217 Crore Cane Dues Pending in Solapur; Demand Raised for 15% Interest on Delayed Payments
Solapur sugar mills owe farmers ₹217.48 crore in unpaid FRP dues for the 2025–26 crushing season, with farmer leaders demanding immediate payment along with 15% interest under the Sugarcane Control Act. Growers warned of protests if pending dues, estimated at nearly ₹360 crore including additional payments, are not cleared soon.
A total of Rs 217.48 crore in Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) dues remains unpaid to sugarcane farmers in Solapur district for the 2025–26 crushing season, raising serious concerns among farmer groups.
Suhas Patil, a member of the Sugarcane Price Control Committee and state president of the Rayat Kranti Party, has urged Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar Agrawal to ensure that sugar mills clear the pending payments along with 15 percent interest. He submitted a written request highlighting the issue.
The demand is based on provisions of the Sugarcane Control Act, 1966, which requires mills to pay farmers within 14 days. If payments are delayed beyond this period, interest at 15 percent is applicable on the outstanding amount.
The issue was raised during a meeting of the Sugarcane Price Control Board chaired by the Chief Secretary, where district-wise reviews of the crushing season and sugar recovery were discussed.
During the meeting, Patil pointed out that out of 36 sugar mills in Solapur district, 23 have not yet cleared FRP payments to farmers. He added that when including both FRP and the additional rates announced by mills, total pending dues in the district stand at around Rs 360 crore.
Patil warned that if farmers do not receive their rightful payments soon, a collective movement will be launched to press for their dues.
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Source : ChiniMandi
