Raju Shetti Accuses Sugar Mills of Price Fixing in Maharashtra and Karnataka
Former MP Raju Shetti claims sugar millers are colluding to limit cane prices for farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Sugar millers allegedly capping cane prices at Rs 3,500 to Rs 3,700 per tonne.
Shetti calls for farmer unity to combat price restrictions.
A protest blockade is planned on November 3 on the Pune-Bengaluru highway.
In a recent statement, Raju Shetti, a former Member of Parliament and leader of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, has raised serious concerns regarding the practices of sugar mills in Maharashtra and Karnataka. He alleges that these mills are collaborating to suppress the prices paid to sugarcane farmers, particularly focusing on the initial payments for their produce.
Shetti highlighted that sugar millers in Karnataka have set a price cap of Rs 3,500 per tonne, while their counterparts in Maharashtra are following suit by establishing district-specific price limits. For instance, he noted that mills in Kolhapur are considering a payment range of Rs 3,600 to Rs 3,700 per tonne, those in Sangli at Rs 3,600, and mills in Pune district at Rs 3,500 per tonne. This coordinated effort, according to Shetti, spans from Belagavi in Karnataka to Pune in Maharashtra.
The former MP emphasized that higher cane prices in one district should ideally benefit farmers in other regions as well. However, he accused the sugar millers of colluding to maintain payments within a narrow range, thereby undermining the potential for fair compensation for farmers. He pointed out that this alleged conspiracy involves both opposition and ruling party-affiliated millers.
Shetti is calling for collective action among farmers to demand better prices for their sugarcane. He believes that unity among farmers is crucial to challenge the practices of these mills and secure the highest possible initial payments. To further this cause, he announced plans for a road blockade on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway on November 3, aimed at protesting against the alleged lobbying efforts by sugar millers and advocating for fair pricing.
As the situation unfolds, the impact on sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka could be significant, especially if the proposed blockade garners widespread support. The outcome of this protest may influence future negotiations regarding cane pricing and the overall dynamics within the sugar industry in the region.
