Sugar barons from western Maharashtra are in deep trouble. The state government has decided to take strict action against the factories and their boards of directors if they fail to give the central government-decided rate to sugarcane farmers within 14 days from the date of purchase.

Protesting against the state government's "arbitrary and myopic" decision, NCP walked out of the assembly in Nagpur on Tuesday, demanding financial help "for the sick and debt-ridden sugar factories urgently". If this is not done, 164 factories will shut down immediately, NCP leaders said.

Cooperatives minister and right hand man of BJP president Amit Shah in state Chandrakant Patil, however, said sugar factories have been reaping benefits from the state and central governments for the last several years. "The time has come to say 'no aid' to these factories and their owners. Also, the state government is not in a position to extend any further help to them. They have to give the government rate to sugarcane farmers, or the state will lodge FIR against them," he said.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar said it is impossible to give the government rate. "Due to the Centre's import and export policies and slowdown in the international market, sugar prices have been falling steadily, leaving farmers in the lurch. Most factories are reeling under the burden of huge loans. It is not just a question of the sugar factory owners but also of the farmers and people dependent on the factories," Pawar explained.

He added that if the state won't resolve the issue, farmers will take to the streets and create a law and order issue. "Sugar factories are not owned only by NCP and Congress leaders, ruling parties' members are in this business too, including agriculture minister Eknath Khadse, education minister Vinod Tawade, rural development minister Pankaja Munde and House speaker Haribhau Bagade. So, the government should treat this as a farmers' issue rather than one of Congress-NCP leaders' sugar factories," Pawar urged.

When asked if the government will take action against its own leaders too if they fail to give farmers the government rate, Patil said no one will be spared while taking action.

However, rural development minister and BJP leader Pankaja Munde echoed Pawar and said it would be impossible to give farmers government rate. "The authority should look into the issue positively and bring forth solutions because many labourers are dependent on sugar factory activities," she said.

Patil suggested that in the coming days delegations of all parties can meet the central leadership, put forth their demands and seek funds.

Sources said BJP wants to break the backbone (sugar factories) of NCP leaders so that they automatically collapse financially.