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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special...

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special financial assistance to compensate for the likely fall in sugar recovery and the reduction in cane weight that could result from crushing in October. India produced around 280 lakh tonnes of sugar last season. The season began with stocks of nearly 50 lakh tonnes, while annual domestic consumption is estimated at around 280 lakh tonnes. With about 35 lakh tonnes expected to remain in stock by September 30, the Centre wants the new season’s production to start flowing into the market without waiting for the traditional crushing cycle. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka account for nearly 80 per cent of India’s sugar production. The Union Food Ministry has therefore written to the chief ministers of the three states, asking them to bring forward the start of the 2026-27 crushing season. The push comes against the backdrop of a sharp movement in sugar prices. Ex-mill prices had earlier climbed to around Rs 68 per kg, pushing retail prices close to Rs 80 per kg. Following a series of measures by the Centre, ex-mill prices have since declined to around Rs 41 per kg. Yet, the government is looking at further measures to bring prices down and ensure that stocks move into the market. One such measure has been the approval of imports of one million tonnes of raw sugar. Since initial applications covered only around eight lakh tonnes, the Centre has invited applications for the remaining quota. It has also reduced the permissible stockholding limit for traders from 400 tonnes to 200 tonnes. The next major point of discussion will be the meeting convened by Union Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra with the sugar industry in New Delhi on September 8. The secretaries of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have also been invited. West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) president B. B. Thombre said the Centre was pushing for crushing to begin around the middle of October. Traditionally, most mills in Maharashtra begin operations around November 15, largely because sugarcane harvesting labour becomes available only after Diwali. The industry is, however, willing to explore an early start between October 20 and 25. But early crushing could have significant implications. According to Thombre, sugar recovery could fall by around 1.5 percentage points, while the weight of sugarcane supplied by farmers could decline by 10-15 per cent. The industry will therefore seek special assistance for cane crushed between October 15 and November 15. At the September 8 meeting, it plans to demand a subsidy of Rs 500 per tonne for sugar mills and Rs 300 per tonne directly for sugarcane farmers.

Does third front matter?

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Does third front matter?

Mumbai: As the governing Mahayuti and the challenger Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) prepare for the pivotal state legislative elections, smaller groups are readying to disrupt the balance. At least a dozen factions, each with significant support within the state, have declared their intentions to run independently or to unite in forming a third alliance.


Raj Thackeray, the leader of the MNS, was the first to reveal his slate of candidates, including Bala Nandgaonkar from Shivadi, a well-established base of the Shiv Sena in Central Mumbai.


The third alliance, Parivartan Mahashakti, after its initial strategy session on Thursday, has set its sights on contesting in 150 seats and has pledged to oppose the incumbent chief minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy, Devendra Fadnavis. The alliance has also sought the support of Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil. This coalition is made up of groups led by former Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, leader of the farmers’ movement Raju Shetti, and MLA Bachchu Kadu.


Bachchu Kadu poses a threat to the Mahayuti candidates in Amrawati and the surrounding areas. Meanwhile, Raju Shetti and Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati have a strong presence in Western Maharashtra, where they could undermine the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi’s standing.


The formation of this coalition started over two months prior. At first, leaders and advocates for agricultural matters, including Shetty, Bharat Rashtra Samiti’s Shankar Dhondge, and Wamanrao Chatap, gathered to talk about the potential for a partnership. Subsequently, Kadu and Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati entered the discussion. Shetty also had a meeting with Prakash Ambedkar, who is yet to become a part of the coalition.


Kadu, who had been associated with the saffron Mahayuti alliance recently, mentioned that he had cautioned the Shinde administration about abandoning the coalition if they did not meet his party’s requests. Bachchu Kadu held a protest in Sambhaji Nagar in August and presented 18 demands. “Our platform will concentrate on the welfare of farmers and agricultural workers, and we will address issues such as educational disparities, healthcare access, and industrial growth,” Bachchu Kadu said.


The future outcome is uncertain regarding whether Ambedkar or Jarange Patil will align with the new third front. Should they do so, Maharashtra might find itself in a situation where no single party secures a majority in the assembly. If more parties decide to be a part of this third front, it will negatively impact Mahayuti and MVA.

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