Cane farmers can file cases if mills do not pay SMP: Kadam

Kolhapur, Dec 16 (UNI) Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Patangrao Kadam has pointed out that sugarcane farmers can file cases against sugar mills if the latter fail to pay the statutory minimum price (SMP) for the cane.

The Union Government has fixed the SMP for sugarcane at Rs 829 per tonne and it is mandatory for the sugar mills to pay at this rate, Mr Kadam said while speaking to reporters here yesterday.

As per the directives, the SMP has to be paid to the farmers within fourteen days after the farmers had cut their crop to supply to the mills, Mr Kadam pointed out.

However, considering the present slump in sugar prices, the sugar factories may pay the SMP to the farmers in two instalments, he said.

While speaking to reporters in neighbouring Sangli on Friday, Mr Kadam had warned that the state government will file cases against those sugar factories which fail to pay the SMP to the farmers.

UNI