Pune | 21 July 2025 — As per media reports, sugar mills in Maharashtra still owe sugarcane farmers ₹411 crore in Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payments for the 2024-25 crushing season. This amount is pending despite continuous follow-ups and hearings by the Sugar Commissioner’s office.
Out of 200 operational sugar mills in the state, 135 mills have paid 100% or more of the FRP directly into farmers’ bank accounts, while 65 mills have yet to clear their full dues.
Crushing Season Overview (2024–25):
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Total sugarcane crushed: 854.5 lakh metric tonnes
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Total FRP payable: ₹31,587 crore
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FRP already paid: ₹31,176 crore
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FRP paid to date: 98.7%
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Remaining unpaid FRP: ₹411 crore (as of 15 July 2025)
Breakdown of the 65 Defaulting Mills:
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59 mills have paid 80–99% of the amount
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3 mills have paid 60–79%
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3 mills have paid less than 60%
Action Taken:
The Sugar Commissioner’s office had earlier held hearings with these mills. Since some still failed to clear dues, Commissioner Siddharam Salimath has now ordered seizure proceedings against 28 mills under the Revenue Recovery Certificate (RRC) process.
The Sugar Department continues to monitor the situation and is pushing for timely payments to protect farmers’ financial interests.
