Mumbai: Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) chief Raju Shetti has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of allegedly misrepresenting facts about the payment of fair and remunerative price (FRP) arrears to sugarcane farmers during his video-conference on Sunday, with booth-level BJP workers in Kolhapur and Satara districts. Shetti further said he remained firm on his intent to lead a protest rally in front of the office of the sugar commissioner in Pune on January 28, demanding full FRP payment.
Shetti, member of Parliament from Hatkanangale, said, “During his address, the PM claimed that 99 per cent farmers had been paid their FRP dues in 2016-17. The fact is that sugar prices had remained stable during that year and there was no issue of FRP arrears then. Why is the PM quoting past figures and trying to cover up the present crisis, triggered by the rapid fall in sugar prices?” he demanded, remarking, “Never have I seen a Prime Minister who twists facts so blatantly”.
He said, of the 180 sugar factories and cooperatives in the state, barely 11 had paid the full FRP amount to farmers at one go. Shetti also hit out at the Devendra Fadnavis government, alleging that a number of corrupt ministers had secretly backed sugar factory owners who were refusing to pay farmers their dues. He further warned of remaining firm on his intent to stage a protest rally in front of the Sugar Commissioner office in Pune on January 28, demanding full FRP payment to farmers by factory owners.
“The proposed agitation will only be called off if we get concrete assurances from the government and the sugar cane factory owners that they will pay farmers the complete FRP amount. It is not difficult for them to pay the FRP of Rs 2,900 to Rs 3,050 per tonne, which is the current rate in the sugar-belt districts of Sangli and Kolhapur,” Shetti said. In the event the mill owners fail to deposit the full FRP amount into farmers’ bank accounts, he said he would urge the sugar commissioner to prosecute the mill owners under the Revenue Recovery Act (RRC).
