Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana on Saturday morning staged a protest on the dry banks of Krishna river in Sangli
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Abitkar said, “Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana has demanded a fair and remunerative price of Rs 4,500. Discussions focused on farmers’ demand to raise sugar’s minimum selling price (MSP) to Rs 50 per kg and the possibility of mills offering a higher cane price depending on Centre’s MSP decision and prevailing sugar market rates. He demanded a first instalment of Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugar cane, citing higher cultivation costs, falling recovery rates and reduced recorded cane weight. Shetti alleged that dam releases had been halted to facilitate the crushing season despite Koyna dam holding nearly 90% of its storage capacity.
Abitkar announced the move after a meeting between farmer representatives and sugar mill managements at the Govt Rest House in Kolhapur. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
“If the discharge is not restarted, protesters will go to Koynanagar and release the water themselves,” Shetti said. The talks, attended by Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader and former MP Raju Shetti, centred on cane prices and the industry’s financial position amid drought concerns and delays in commencing crushing operations. The MSP decision would follow Central govt guidelines. Given the drought and area under sugar cane cultivation, factories needed to begin operations soon. The proposed high-level meeting after two days will seek a middle path on higher cane prices and problems faced by sugar millers. ” Millers were represented by MLA Rajendra Patil Yadravkar, chairman of Sharad Cooperative Sugar Mill, and former MP Sanjay Mandlik. Shetti presented a financial analysis based on projected sugar prices for the coming season and average sales during the previous year. The meeting comes amid rising tensions over water management in western Maharashtra. The administration has banned water lifting through agricultural pumps in Kolhapur and Sangli districts and stopped releases from dams into rivers. He warned of direct action if water releases were not resumed. Download the TOI App.
Earlier in the day, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana workers staged a protest on the banks of Krishna river in Sangli. Kolhapur : The deadlock over sugar cane prices may be resolved within the next couple of days, with state govt planning a high-level meeting to forge a consensus and clear the way for the start of the crushing season, Kolhapur guardian minister Prakash Abitkar said on Saturday.