Sugar Factories of Maharashtra: New
Challenges - II
- by
S.P.Sir
If, we go with the figures supplied and published by the
Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghata [SSS] sugar cane producing
farmers are bearing an expenses of Rs. 61019.95 for per hector
production and they are getting much less than it. Accoring to
SSS leader Shri Raju shetty if we consider that sugar
factories are selling sugar at the rate of Rs. 14/ - per kg.,
they will get Rs. 1750/- and if we add the income from the by
products of sugar production the amount will go to Rs. 2900/-
, where as factories are expensing only Rs. 1011/- [production
Rs. 600/-, excise Rs.200/- and Sales tax Rs. 211/-]. We are
demanding rate of Rs. 1280/- and factories will be left with
profit of Rs. 609/- per ton even after paying us as per our
demand. Where as the factories says that the production
expenses is Rs. 935/- and it is increasing day by day, season
by season. The main reason of conflict starts here.
We have to keep it in mind that almost one third of sugar
production of the country is produced by alone Maharashtra
state and over 2.5 carors farmers are depending on this. 188
sugar factories of the state are providing employment to
almost 1.8 lakhs of people beside the over 80 lakhs people are
earning during the sugar production season. This year's buffer
production is warning for the state government to look into
matter very seriously to avoid the unrest of the people. It is
essential that a long term planning must be made effective
immediately so not only the sugar factories are avoided from
storing the produced sugar but also the farmers should get
proper rates. It is a really good that government allowed
mixing of , up to 10% of ethanol to Petrol, but a proper
management in the fields of export and sale of sugar in the
domestic markets is most essential as failing in these area
will result in crisis either for sugar factories or for the
common citizens in the form of price hike of sugar.
S.P.Sir is Retired
Teacher, presently a successful blogger. He was choosen amongst the
top 50 bloggers in Great Indian Blogger Hunt.
