Talks between sugar mills and farmers, fails

Kolhapur, Nov 6 (UNI) The second round of talks between management of cooperative sugar factories and sugarcane growers over cane prices, failed here today.

Despite a marathon six-hour-long discussion, no solution emerged today and the stalemate in the sugar mills in Kolhapur and Sangli districts continued despite start of the crushing season.

Sugarcane growers, led by Swabhimani Shetakari Sangathana MLA Raju Shetty and the Shetakari Sanghatana leaders, have launched an agitation in the two districts demanding Rs 1800 per tonne of sugarcane as the first instalment. However, the sugar mills have said they can pay only Rs 850 per tonne as the first instalment.

Both the sides stuck to their stand in today's meeting following which there was no headway in the talks.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Shetty said that they had scaled down their demand to Rs 1400 per tonne but still there was no favourable response from the sugar mills.

Mr Shetty said the farmers will intensify their agitation from November 10.

Maharashtra State Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories chairman Vikramsinh Ghatge, who presided over today's meeting, told reporters that the talks will continue and a solution evolved.

Shetkari Sangathana leader Raghunathdada Patil, who had walked out of the last meeting, did not attend today's meeting.

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