Belagavi: Sugarcane growers claim that they are are now facing financial problems because sugar mills are not paying their bills. Millers on other side say that sugar export ban and ethanol production restriction hit their income, reported The Times of India.
As per media report, according to Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) regulations, sugarcane bills must be settled within 14 days of delivery. However, many factories have not made payments since December. Some have also carried over last year’s cane balance.
Media report further show that over a month has passed since the millers ended the operations, and the mills still have unpaid bills totaling around Rs 1,500 crore. In Belagavi district, 10 out of 28 sugar mills owe farmers Rs 216 crore as per FRP.
Sugar commissioner P. Ravikumar explained that the government’s suspension of sugar export and ethanol production has caused delays in payments. He assured that all unpaid bills are expected to be settled by May 31.
