Kolhapur: State Sugar Commissioner Sanjay Kolte has appealed to sugar mills across the state to ensure timely payment of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to sugarcane farmers to avoid action.
Speaking to Chinimandi, Kolte said the department has been reviewing payments made by sugar mills to cane farmers since the start of the crushing season. As the season enters its final stage, officials are in regular touch with mill managements to ensure that farmers’ dues are cleared on time.
“We appeal to sugar mills to speed up payments and clear cane bills promptly. Under the Sugarcane Control Act, it is mandatory for mills to pay farmers within the stipulated time. If mills fail to do so, action will be initiated against them,” he said.
The sugar Commissionerate has already issued notices to 45 sugar mills for failing to pay FRP. “Officials from these mills have been called for discussions today and on February 18. A decision will be taken after these meetings,” Kolte added.
According to the latest fortnightly report ending January 31 for the 2025–26 crushing season, sugar mills across the state are yet to clear ₹4,252 crore in payments to sugarcane farmers. The pending amount includes transportation charges for harvested cane.
The report shows that four mills—two cooperative and two privately owned—have not paid any portion of the FRP so far, leaving their entire dues unpaid and raising concerns among farmers.
Data also show that most of the mills summoned for hearings are located in Solapur and Ahilyanagar, with 11 mills in Solapur and nine in Ahilyanagar, taking the combined total to 20.
Other districts with mills facing notices include Satara with five mills, and Beed and Parbhani with three mills each. Two mills each have been called for hearings in Nashik, Pune, Kolhapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
One mill each has been issued notices in Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv, Hingoli, Yavatmal and Sangli.
