Maharashtra Government to Lead Farmers' Delegation to Centre for Sugar Price Hike
In response to escalating protests, Maharashtra officials will advocate for increased sugar MSP and cane FRP.
Farmers demand sugar MSP increase from Rs 31 to Rs 50 per kg.
Protests have led to the suspension of operations at four sugar mills in Sangli.
A delegation will be taken to New Delhi to discuss farmers' concerns with the Centre.
The Maharashtra government is set to organize a delegation consisting of sugarcane farmers and industry representatives to approach the Centre regarding the need for an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar and the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane. This decision comes amid rising protests in western Maharashtra as the sugarcane crushing season approaches, highlighting the urgency of the farmers' demands.
The meeting that led to this decision involved State Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil and various farmer leaders, including BJP member Sada Khot. The discussions were fueled by concerns over diminishing sugarcane yields, lower sugar recovery rates, and insufficient financial returns for farmers. The farmers are specifically calling for an increase in the sugar MSP from the current Rs 31 per kg to Rs 50 per kg, along with a revision of the ethanol procurement price from Rs 58 to Rs 70 per litre.
Protests erupted outside sugar mills in Satara and Sangli districts, with farmers expressing their discontent over the impending start of the crushing operations on October 15. Raju Shetti, a former Lok Sabha member and president of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, reported that the agitation has already led to the suspension of operations at four sugar mills in Sangli. He emphasized that if their demands are not met, protests will extend to other districts like Satara and Pune.
The farmers argue that the Centre has not revised the sugar MSP since the 2018-19 season, which has adversely affected the financial stability of sugarcane growers. Shetti has previously reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging intervention to address the farmers' plight. Meanwhile, leaders from the ruling Mahayuti coalition are also stepping in to mediate the situation, with Khot suggesting that a delegation led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should travel to New Delhi to advocate for the farmers' requests.
Patil assured the farmer representatives that a meeting would be arranged with Chief Minister Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar to further discuss the farmers' demands. He reiterated the commitment to take a delegation to the Centre, aiming for favorable outcomes regarding sugar MSP and cane FRP, as the current crushing season progresses.
