PUNE: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday appealed to sugarcane protesters to adopt a conciliatory approach and allow sugar mills to begin crushing operations early, citing lower cane production, financial pressures on mills and the need to maximise the crushing season.
A delay could prompt Karnataka mills to procure sugarcane from Maharashtra, reducing the operating period for mills in the state. “This particular year is full of crises. On one hand, sugarcane yield is low, which will shorten the operating period of sugar mills.
Fadnavis said the state government had asked sugar mills to begin crushing operations from October 15, while mills in neighbouring Karnataka had started on October 1. He defended the state government’s decision to provide an advance of ₹ 5,000 to drought-affected farmers, saying relief measures had been expedited and the number of talukas covered under drought-related assistance had been increased from 265 to 305. The advance would provide immediate relief while the process of disbursing the remaining assistance was completed, he said, adding that the government had initiated 12 relief measures.
On the other hand, there is a need to start the crushing season early due to a shortage of sugar,” he said.
Appealing to protesters to cooperate, Fadnavis said both farmers and sugar mills were facing difficulties amid drought-like conditions. On the agitation by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants, Fadnavis said a judicial inquiry commission had been constituted and the report of the V Radha committee would help introduce comprehensive reforms to the recruitment process. The government aimed to ensure that examinations, recruitment, results and appointments took place on time, he said, urging political parties not to politicise the issue.
