Kolhapur: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday praised Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for his role in promoting ethanol, saying the policy has supported the sugar industry, benefited farmers, and helped keep sugar prices stable, reports The Times of India.
Pawar was speaking at a two-day convention of sugar mill workers in Panhala, Kolhapur district. He said the government’s decision to restrict the crushing capacity of sugar mills and prevent individuals or companies from controlling multiple factories would protect smaller mills and safeguard farmers’ interests.
The veteran leader pointed out that 135 sugar mills in Maharashtra are facing severe financial stress, with dues of about ₹600 crore owed to workers and farmers. He stressed that new policies are needed to decide how many mills a person or company can run and to set limits on crushing capacity.
“I can understand a few mills having a crushing capacity of 25,000 tonnes, but smaller mills nearby risk closure. The time has come to decide whether the industry should remain in the hands of many or just a few,” Pawar said.
At a press conference in Kolhapur earlier in the day, Pawar was asked if the Centre was extending loans to cooperative sugar mills linked to politicians for political reasons. He replied that financial support to struggling mills was welcome, but loans should be extended fairly to all mills, not on political grounds.
He also noted that political influence has changed the industry’s structure, with 106 private sugar mills now operating against 96 cooperative ones — the opposite of the situation a few years ago.
