Aundh: Farmers protested outside premises of Green Power Sugars at Gopuj in Satara district on Friday alleging that payments for the sugarcane they supplied had not been released on time, Lokmat reported.
The protest was called off after the mill management assured in written to clear pending cane dues in time.
The protesters, under banner of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana gathered at the factory gate and later entered the office to stage a sit-in protest. The protesters voiced strong anger against the factory management for failing to clear the pending bills despite repeated assurances.
Tension briefly rose when the agitating farmers prevented factory officials and staff from leaving the premises during the protest.
Police personnel from Aundh Police Station reached the spot and intervened to defuse the situation. Police mediated between the farmers and the factory management.
Farmers alleged that the factory administration had earlier announced three different dates for releasing the payments, but the money had not been credited to their accounts. They said the delay had created serious financial difficulties.
According to the farmers, payments for sugarcane are crucial for meeting farming expenses such as fertilisers, seeds and crop protection chemicals, as well as household needs and loan repayments. The continued delay has forced several farmers into debt, they said.
During the protest, farmers insisted that they no longer wanted promises and demanded that the pending payments be made immediately.
Following discussions with the protesters, Assistant General Manager Ghule issued a written assurance that the pending payments would be cleared by March 13. After receiving the assurance, the farmers ended their protest and left the factory premises later in the evening.
However, the farmers warned that if the payments are not made by the promised date, they will launch a stronger agitation. Police maintained security at the factory during the protest.
