Maharashtra CM offers support to sugar mills, stays silent on farm loan waivers

Fadnavis said the state’s sugar industry had been critical for the past few years owing to drought

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis continued to remain silent regarding farm loan waivers, an issue that has stalled the state legislative assembly’s budget proceedings.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (right) with NCP chief Sharad Pawar during the VSI's general body meeting at Pune on Monday. (HT Photo)

Addressing the annual general meeting of Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) on Monday, Fadnavis also declined to address various issues raised by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, such as the drastic decline in land under sugarcane cultivation.

However, Fadnavis said the state’s sugar industry had been critical for the past few years owing to drought. Terming this industry ‘rural Maharashtra’s main source of strength’, he said its problems needed to be addressed immediately.

Fadnavis said the government would support cooperative movements, particularly those of sugar mill owners. He, however, said the sugar sector must ensure that its practices are transparent, so stakeholders do not incur losses.

Fadnavis said the government would buy cogeneration power from sugar mills at a higher price so the mills would not face financial hardships.

“We will take a decision soon and ensure that the user is not financially burdened”, he added. Fadnavis shared the dais with prominent NCP leaders such former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, former finance minister Jayant Patil and Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil. Several Congress leaders attended the meeting. The NCP has stalled budget proceedings for more than two weeks, demanding that loan waivers be given to farmers.

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