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Crisis resolved in Kolhapur, sugar mills to start crushing cane

The cane crushing season in the state had started on October 20, but only 65 mills had started their operations. Mills in Western Maharashtra had ceased their operations after members of the Sanghatana and other farmer bodies resorted to violent protests.

Crisis resolved in Kolhapur, sugar mills to start crushing cane Officially, the cane crushing season in the state had started on October 20, but only 65 mills had started their operations. (Representational/Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

The crisis in the cane belt of Kolhapur over the first installment payment amount came to an end on Saturday, after sugar millers and farmers’ representatives held discussions and agreed on a solution. The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, an organisation representing the farmers, has agreed to accept the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) as the first installment payment, paving the way for the beginning of crushing season.

Officially, the cane crushing season in the state had started on October 20, but only 65 mills had started their operations. Mills in Western Maharashtra had ceased their operations after members of the Sanghatana and other farmer bodies resorted to violent protests. Sanghatana leader and Hatkanagale MP Raju Shetti had demanded Rs 200 over the FRP of Rs 2,750, linked to an average recovery rate of 9.5 per cent, as the first installment payment.

Millers have agreed to pay the FRP as the first installment payment, while they will consider the extra Rs 200, as demanded by farmers’ bodies, after December. Earlier this week, angry farmers allegedly torched the divisional agricultural offices of the Rajarambapu Cooperative Sugar Mill and the Vasantdada Patil Cooperative Sugar Mill. The harvesting and transportation of cane was also disrupted at various places.

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The decision to pay FRP as the first installment payment was taken after discussions with farmers’ representatives, said Madhavrao Ghatge, chairman and managing director of Shri Gurudutt Sugars Limited. “In case millers are unable to pay the FRP at one go due to financial constraints, millers and growers will lobby with the government,” he said.

Officials from the state government, however, were not present during the discussions. Millers had earlier approached the Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, who is also Kolhapur’s guardian minister, and sought his intervention in the matter. Patil had promised to raise the matter before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but no state government representative was present during the discussions between farmers and millers.

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Last year, the Sanghatana member had asked for FRP plus Rs 200 as the first installment payment. Many mills in the region are yet to clear their dues. Shetti had called for a ‘chakka jam’ agitation on Sunday to protest against non-payment by the millers. But, in view of the agreement in Kolhapur, the Sanghatana has decided to withdraw the call for ‘chakka jam’ in the district.

Members of the Sanghatana, however, said they will carry out the protests in other parts of the state, where no agreements about the first installment payment have been reached.

First uploaded on: 11-11-2018 at 09:01 IST
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