Maharashtra government gives sugar companies 8 days to clear farmers' dues

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday said it has issued notices to 160 sugar cooperative factories that failed to pay the mandatory `fair remunerative price' to sugarcane farmers. “We understand that sugar prices have fallen around the world.

But it is the responsibility of sugar cooperative factories to pay the FRP as mandated by the Centre.If they fail to do so, they can face action. We have issued notices to 160 factories, asking them to clear the farmers' dues in eight days,“ cooperation minister Chandrakant Patil said here. “If the factories failed to do so, their godowns will be sealed and goods will be auctioned to pay the farmers,“ he said.

Members of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna had staged a violent protest at sugar commissioner's office in Pune two days ago. Patil also said that state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve, party leader Sanjay Kaka Patil and SSS leader Raju Shetty will meet Arun Jaitley on January 17.