Pune: The state cooperative department has slapped a fine worth Rs 38 crore on nine sugar mills that were found running cane crushing operations without crushing licenses, reports Indian Express.
The sugar department had denied licenses to these sugar mills as they had not paid the Fair and Remunerative Price of the farmers for the last crushing season. All these sugar mills are from Western Maharashtra, the sugar belt of the state, including four from Pune district, two each from Solapur and one each from Sangli and Satara district. The department had asked the sugar mills to take steps to clear the penalty to avoid further strict actions.
According to the government officials, sugar mills must pay farmers the FRP fixed by the central government. The sugar mills that are not abiding by the rules attract the action of the sugar commissionerate which has also asked the mills to clear pending cane dues before applying for crushing licenses. The mills have to apply for a crushing license every year before commencingh cane crushing operations.
