Dharmapuri: The Dharmapuri district administration has issued a strong warning to sugarcane farmers and private sugar mills regarding the illegal diversion of cane registered for processing at the Dharmapuri District Cooperative Sugar Mill, reported The Hindu.
Officials have noted private sugar and jaggery mills’ attempts to illegally intercept cane meant for government-run cooperative sugar mills. This practice violates the law and causes financial losses to the government and the cooperative mills.
The administration has received complaints of such diversions involving cane registered for the upcoming 2024-25 crushing season. These actions are punishable under the Sugarcane Control Act of 1966 and the Essential Commodities Act of 1955.
Cane farmers who are transporting unregistered cane within the cooperative mill’s jurisdiction are required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the sugarcane officer. Dharmapuri Collector has warned that any vehicle found transporting cane without this NOC will be seized along with the cane it carries.
