Kolhapur: Leader of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Raju Shetti, has dismissed the proposal presented by district guardian minister Hasan Mushrif to resolve the impasse between the farmers’ group and mill operators concerning sugar cane prices, reported The Times of India.
In an attempt to break the deadlock, Mushrif convened a meeting involving representatives from the farmers’ group, sugar millers, and officials. Mushrif suggested the establishment of a panel under district collector Rahul Rekhawar.
As per news report in TOI, explaining the proposal, Mushrif stated, “The panel will consist of representatives from both sides and will scrutinize the mills’ accounts. If the mills were in a position to pay an additional amount to the farmers for the last season, I have guaranteed the millers to extend loan from the district central cooperative bank. For the current season, we propose that the mills pay farmers a minimum of Rs 3,100 per tonne in a one installment. Shetti has agreed to the formation of a panel, which will complete its task within the next five days.”
The ongoing protest led by Shetti has compelled sugar millers to suspend their operations. The millers have asserted their financial inability to pay Rs 400 per tonne for the sugar cane crushed in the previous year.
Mushrif highlighted the challenges faced by the sugar industry in Kolhapur, noting that mills in bordering districts of Karnataka are actively crushing thousands of tonnes of sugar cane daily. He expressed concern that sugarcane cutters are migrating to Karnataka due to a lack of work in Kolhapur, posing a threat to the local sugar industry if crushing does not resume promptly.
Contrary to Mushrif’s account, Shetti, addressing the media, firmly declared non-acceptance of any proposal from the millers. “We have rejected the idea of forming a panel under the district collector. We are planning to conduct a ‘Chakka Jam Andolan’ on Sunday and will persist in blocking the transport of sugar cane to the mills,” affirmed Shetti.
