Satara: The Congress has urged the district administration to take strict action against sugar mills that have failed to clear pending payments to farmers, raising concerns over delays in Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) dues.
Questioning the administration's approach, party leaders said authorities act swiftly when common citizens default on bank loans, but appear lenient towards mill owners who owe crores to farmers. They asked whether rules are being applied selectively, leaving farmers at a disadvantage.
The party highlighted that, as per norms, sugar mills are required to pay FRP within 14 days of cane procurement. However, several mills in the district have not cleared dues even one-and-a-half months after the end of the crushing season.
Congress leaders also pointed out that under the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966, mills must pay 15% interest on delayed payments, a rule they claimed is not being followed in many cases.
A delegation led by local Congress representatives submitted a memorandum to District Collector Santosh Patil, demanding immediate intervention to ensure that pending dues are cleared without further delay.