Sangli: Agitation launched by sugarcane farmers under the banner of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) for one-time-FRP turned violent as they set on fire the office of Rajarambapu cooperative sugar factory at Savalwadi village of Sangli district. The sugar mill belongs to Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil.
Before the beginning of cane crushing season, farmers were demanding one time FRP from the sugar millers and the meeting between SSS members and sugar millers was held during which the millers agreed to pay FRP at a time. However two months have passed the mills have become operational but the mills have not paid one time FRP to the farmers.
The farmers have stated that the sugar mills in Kolhapur are paying one-time FRP but mills in Sangli are not paying them their full dues.
SSS workers had last week set afire the office of Kranti cooperative sugar mill owned by Arun Lad in Palus taluka of Sangli district. Now they have set afire the office of Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and NCP state Chief Jayant Patil for failure to fulfill commitment of one-time FRP.
