Sugarcane News : Sugarcane Crushing Season May Start From November 1

Maharashtra: To consider the demand of the industry to start the sugarcane crushing from November 1 instead of the earlier decided date of December 1, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadanvis agreed to call second meeting of the ministers' committee.

Normally, between mid-octobers to mid-November Maharashtra's crushing season begins. But due to lesser availability of cane in the state this year, the state government decided to start the crushing season only from December 1.

A mills, especially from the bordering districts of Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur and Solapur were against this decision as they feared diversion of the cane to the Karnataka mills, which are likely to begin their crushing operations in November.

President, Western India Sugar Mills Association, BB Thombre, said "We are keen to begin the crushing from November 1."

On the mills who begin the crushing operations before the date announced by the state government, he state's sugar commissionerate imposes a heavy fine of Rs 500/tonne.

The demand of the sugar millers of early crushing is also supported by Farmers' organisation Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana. To review the decision of starting crushing operations from December 1, The CM promised Shetty to call a meeting of the committee of ministers.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/