Solapur: Former MP and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief Raju Shetty has challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over sugar mill malpractices and relief for flood-affected farmers. Speaking at a press conference at the Solapur government rest house after touring Parbhani, Latur, and Dharashiv districts, Shetty said the CM had threatened to take action against sugar mills allegedly underreporting weights and recovery, but real accountability is still missing, reports Agrowon.
“I had already submitted the list of sugar mills involved in cutting weights along with evidence to the government,” Shetty said. “Now, many of these mill owners are in the BJP. If the government truly wants to act, it should show the courage to take action against them. The online monitoring of weights and recovery across all mills is necessary to genuinely protect farmers’ interests.”
Shetty also criticized the state’s handling of the recent floods in Marathwada. “The sight of farmers in the flood-affected areas is devastating. Crops have been washed away, five to six feet of topsoil has eroded in many fields, and in some places, flooding has deposited up to five feet of silt. Wells, livestock, and cattle sheds have also been destroyed. Yet, the government is offering minimal relief, which barely addresses farmers’ losses. Poor coordination between the Revenue and Water Resources departments, even after a Red Alert from the Meteorological Department, led to floods in the Sina River. This disaster is entirely man-made. If responsible officials are not investigated and penalized, we will approach the courts,” he warned.
Shetty also accused CM Fadnavis of misleading farmers. “In 2022, as Opposition Leader, he demanded a declaration of hail-induced drought and toured the state advocating for farmers. Now, in power, he claims the same conditions do not qualify. The government is confusing farmers by taking one stand in opposition and another in power.”
Highlighting the urgency for relief, Shetty issued a direct warning: “Due to poor coordination between Revenue and Water Resources departments, farmers in Solapur have suffered heavily. Crops, livestock, wells, and farmland have been destroyed. The government must deposit compensation in farmers’ accounts before Diwali; otherwise, we will not let the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, or officials celebrate the festival.”
Shetty’s remarks underscore growing farmer frustration over both sugar industry regulation and disaster relief in the state.
