Sugar firms asked to pay up farmers' dues in eight days: Patil

The Maharashtra government today said it has issued notices to 160 sugar cooperative factories for failure to pay the mandatory 'fair remunerative price' to sugarcane farmers.
"We understand that sugar prices have fallen around the world. But it is the responsibility of sugar cooperative factories to pay the FRP as mandated by the Centre. If they fail to do so, they can face action. We have issued notices to 160 factories, asking them to clear the farmers' dues in eight days," Cooperation Minister Chandrakant Patil said here.
"If the factories failed to do so, their godowns will be sealed and goods will be auctioned to pay the farmers," he said.

Members of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, a farmers' organisation, had staged a violent protest at sugar commissioner's office in Pune two days ago over the issue.
Patil also said that state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve, party leader Sanjay Kaka Patil and SSS leader Raju Shetty will meet union finance minister Arun Jaitley on January 17 on the issue.