Mumbai: As the sugarcane crushing season is at the final phase the farmers still await clearing of cane dues around Rs 1,693 crore from the sugar mills. The government has initiated action against 19 sugar mills under RRC (revenue recovery certificate) as the mills have failed to clear even part payment to the cane growers.
According to the news report published in Indianexpress.com, total of 190 sugar mills in the state crushed 997.17 lakh metric tonne of sugarcane till April 2021. As per the agreement with the sugarcane farmers, these mills were supposed to pay Rs 22,293.34 crore as FRP to the farmers. The farmers have received Rs 20,599.73 crore and are yet to receive Rs 1,693.91 crore.
Apart from 19 mills that have not paid a single rupee to the farmers, 88 mills are yet to clear the complete payment.
Raju Shetti, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) president said, “As per the Sugarcane Control Order (1966) it is mandatory for sugar mills to clear cane bills within 14 days of crushing cane. We expect the mills to clear the dues else we will launch protest for the same.” The organisation has urged the mills to immediately clear the dues or face protest.
