Pune: The uncertainty surrounding the start of Maharashtra’s sugarcane crushing season has come to an end, with the season 2024-25 officially beginning today, November 15. The decision brings much-needed relief to the sugar industry, which had been awaiting clarity on the matter.
On Thursday, Sugar Commissioner Dr. Kunal Khemnar permitted crushing licenses to 102 sugar mills. These include 51 cooperative and 51 private mills. Mills with unresolved issues in their proposals will receive licenses once they address the discrepancies.
With more than 1 million sugarcane workers migrating to other districts during the crushing season, there were concerns about their ability to vote, leading to calls for a delay in the start date.
However, the Maharashtra State Cooperative Sugar Mills Federation and the West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) opposed any postponement, warning that delays could result in substantial financial losses for sugar mills.
The commencing of the season on time is expected to have a stabilizing effect on the sugar industry while it will also allay concerns in respect of the elections that will soon be held.
