Sugarcane FRP: FRP of sixty-two sugar mills still outstanding
Kolhapur News: Although only one to two months are left for the start of this year’s season, still 62 sugar mills in the state have exhausted ‘FRP’. Till mid-August, 149 sugar mills have paid full ‘FRP’ to farmers.
RRC notices have also been issued to 17 sugar mills for non-payment of FRP. At present, the prices of sugar in the domestic market are continuously increasing. Therefore, there is a demand from the sugarcane producers that the factories should pay the due ‘FRP’ immediately.
56 factories have given ‘FRP’ ranging from 80 to 99 percent. 1 from 60 to 79.99 percent and 5 factories from 0 to 59 percent have given the amount to the farmers. Most of the factories have paid 98.40 percent of the total amount due.
Currently, the price of sugar is fluctuating in the market. It was expected that sugar prices would increase due to demand due to the current festival. A gradual increase started after June.
After the move towards a satisfactory rate began in August, the Center quickly turned the wheels around. In order not to increase the prices in the retail market, the sales quota was intervened. This did not increase the sugar level.
Had the center not intervened, sugar prices would have gone up to Rs 4,000. This would have been a great relief to the factories. Due to this, the due ‘FRP’ could have been given to the farmers immediately, said the representatives of the factories.
At present, the price of sugar in the country is around Rs 3500 to Rs 3700 per quintal. Currently, the rate is Rs 3550 to Rs 3650 in Maharashtra and Rs 3700 to Rs 3750 in Uttar Pradesh. Punjab is getting the highest price upto 3900 rupees.
Last year, 211 sugar factories took the season. 1 thousand 53 lakh tonnes of sugarcane was crushed. FRP of sugarcane cutting was Rs 35 thousand 532 crores including transportation cost. Out of this 35 thousand 333 crore rupees were given to the farmers. 199 crores of outstanding dues are still with the factories.
‘Additional amount of difference should also be paid’
The minimum selling price of sugar is Rs 3100 per quintal. Currently sugar mills are getting Rs 400 to 600 more per quintal than that. Therefore, the sugarcane producers have demanded that the factories should pay the arrears of ‘FRP’ on priority basis.
Except in West Maharashtra, the proportion of pending ‘FRP’ is more. Due to good increase in sugar price, balance FRP should be paid. Apart from this, the farmers’ organizations have demanded that the additional amount of the difference should also be paid.
