Pune: The state government has placed 45 sugar mills under the scanner for failing to pay farmers a fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane, with many mills paying less than 60% of the due amount. According to officials, these mills collectively owe around Rs 1,860 crore in pending FRP payments, Pudhari reported.
Sugar Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Kolte has issued notices to the concerned mills, and hearings are scheduled at the Commissionerate on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17 and 18.
As per the latest fortnightly report ending January 31 of the 2025-26 crushing season, sugar mills across the state still owe farmers Rs 4,252 crore, including transportation costs, for harvested sugarcane. The crushing season is now nearing its final stages, yet some mills have deposited only a minimal portion of the FRP into farmers’ bank accounts.
The report shows that two cooperative and two private sugar mills have not paid a single rupee of FRP to farmers, leaving 100% of their dues pending. This raises questions about when these mills will clear the outstanding payments.
Among the mills called for hearings, the highest number are in Solapur (11) and Ahilyanagar (9), making a total of 20 mills in these two districts. Satara has 5, Beed 3, and Parbhani 3. Nashik, Pune, Kolhapur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have 2 each, while Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv, Hingoli, Yavatmal, and Sangli each have one mill facing notices.
Officials say the hearings are aimed at ensuring that mills settle pending payments promptly and maintain trust with farmers ahead of the next sugarcane season.
