Phaltan's Shriram cooperative sugar mill begins 70th crushing season; Ramraje attacks ex-MP

The Phaltan Shriram Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, a cooperative sugar mill, began its 70th crushing season on Monday, October 12. There had been talk that the mill would shut down and be privatised. The start of the season has raised fresh hopes among cane growers, workers and transporters.

The 2026-27 crushing season was inaugurated by MLA Shrimant Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar with a ritual puja and the lighting of the boiler. Speaking on the occasion, Ramraje alleged that political manoeuvres lay behind the mill's difficulties and criticised former MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar. Appealing to members, "Give your cane to your own Shriram mill," he said, and asked them to keep up their unity.

Ramraje said the mill's election was delayed by about one and a half to one and three-quarter years, which affected its functioning. He said that had a decision been taken after calling for a report from the cooperation department and the sugar commissioner, the complaints could have been avoided. He also alleged that the former MP's politics was behind these developments.

Saying he respected Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Ramraje said it was not right to interfere in the affairs of cooperative institutions by invoking his name. He said a party does not grow by obstructing development works, putting cooperative mills in difficulty and playing politics to gain control of banks.

Ramraje noted that the sacrifice made by workers in the hard times and the unity shown by members helped the mill restart. He asked members to make efforts to complete the mill's share capital and strengthen its financial base.

Ramraje also challenged the former MP to make public the names of the directors of his mill, its cane crushing, sugar recovery and dues. Alleging that weighbridge cheating takes place at that mill, he said he had saved both the Sakharwadi and Shriram mills. He warned that if members' livelihoods were affected by political self-interest, he would take to the streets in protest even at the age of 78.

The restart of the mill is expected to bring relief to cane growers, workers, transporters and local businesses. However, regular crushing, the mill's financial stability and securing fair payment for cane growers will be major challenges for the management. Ramraje also noted that, given drought conditions and water scarcity, cane production in the coming season will depend on how water distribution is planned.

Mill chairman Dr Balasaheb Shende, former MLA Deepak Chavan, Shrimant Sanjeevraje Naik Nimbalkar, vice-chairman Nitin Shahuraj Bhosale, Dhananjay Pawar, Amol Saste, Bhagwan Holkar, Jitendra Pawar, Datta Bapu Anpat and Reshma Bhosale were among those present, along with directors, officials, staff, cane-growing members and transporters. Director Santosh Khatke gave the introduction and compered the event, and Sukhdev Beldar proposed the vote of thanks.