Kolhapur sugarcane price talks end without result; Raju Shetti warns mills will not run

The question of sugarcane prices has heated up in Kolhapur ahead of the crushing season. The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana has taken a hard line to ensure farmers get a good price. A meeting of farmers' organisation representatives and sugar mill owners was held under Guardian Minister Prakash Abitkar, but no firm decision was reached.

The organisation wants a price of Rs 5,000 for cane this season. It has also said the first instalment should be at least Rs 4,500. The organisation is holding firm on this demand.

Former MP Raju Shetti warned that sugar mills would not be allowed to start until prices are announced. He said plainly that the agitation would continue until a firm decision is taken on the farmers' demands. Former MP Sanjay Mandlik, MLA Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar and other representatives were present at the meeting along with Shetti.

Guardian Minister Prakash Abitkar assured that another meeting would be held. He said today's meeting was preliminary. An effort will be made to take a positive decision after talking to the remaining sugar mill owners in the district. Another meeting is likely in the next two to three days.

Meanwhile, the support price of sugar and the market rate may also affect the talks on cane prices. Shetti said the farmers' aim is not to create a shortage of sugar, but that producers must get a fair price.

Along with cane prices, Shetti also raised the question of river water. He warned that if water does not come into the river, he will himself go and release water from the Koyna dam. He also alleged that the government is deliberately keeping the river dry.

Cane-growing farmers now have their eyes on the next meeting. They are watching whether the cane price deadlock is resolved, how much the first instalment turns out to be, and whether the mills' crushing season starts on time. Until then, the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana will keep up its agitation stance, Shetti made clear.