Sugar mills must pay FRP dues with interest: Raju Shetti
KOLHAPUR: Several sugar mills from Maharashtra have not yet paid the fir and remunerative price (FRP) to sugarcane-growing farmers even though the crushing season is almost nearing its end, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti has claimed.
Shetti met state sugar commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad on Tuesday. He told the latter that dues to farmers have been delayed by two months, adding that mills are making windfall profits by producing more ethanol and at the same time, reaping benefits from nearly constant sugar prices.
“According to the law, the mills are mandated to pay the FRP within 15 days of the crushing of sugarcane. We demand that the commissioner issue notices to the defaulting mills and take action against them. He should also ensure that farmers are paid the interest for the delayed duration,” said Shetti.
On the contrary, the sugar commissioner’s office stated that the FRP amount for 92% of crushed sugarcane has been paid, while only 8% is pending. So far, 104 lakh tonnes of sugarcane has been crushed in the ongoing season. Shetti said, “Crushing season is nearing its end. Only 55 mills have crushing activity have not been paid. ”
Recommended for you
