Only 27 sugar factories pay 100 per cent FRP

PUNE: While the sugar commissioner has started taking action against errant sugar mills who are failing to pay Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to sugar farmers, the FRP arrear amount continues to be a cause of concern among sugar farmers.

According to the latest data shared by the sugar commissionerate, the FRP dues have reached 4,926 crore. Officials of the sugar commissionerate said that of 193 sugar mills, only 27 had paid around 100 per cent FRP. They said that four sugar factories in Kolhapur, Solapur, Aurangabad and Nanded districts were issued orders under the Revenue Recovery Certificate (RRC) code after they failed to pay FRP to farmers till March 15. Officials said that the seizure of sugar stocks from these particular mills has started. 

“Over 100 notices and 49 RRCs were issued by the sugar commissionerate to the mills in the last three months. However, sugarcane cultivators said they will continue the protest until all the dues are cleared. The sugarcane cultivators are firm on the FRP payment, which is as per the law. Some mills are insisting on part payment of FRP leading to chaos between sugarcane cultivators and the mills,” added an official from the sugar commissionerate. As of March 15, sugar mills have paid Rs 14,881 crore to the farmers.