The Maharashtra Sugar Commissionerate is awaiting reports from its regional joint directors before taking a final call on the issue of FRP payments to farmers to be made by sugar mills.

The commissionerate sought reports on payments made by mills till January 31 and are expected by end of the week, state sugar commissioner Vipin Sharma told FE.

Therefore, the decision regarding the second phase of hearings on FRP payments is likely to be taken by the end of the week, he said. Till last week, 26 mills had released payment of R150 crore. The commissioner said that around 24 mills have completed all the formalities and remaining two mills should complete this process soon.

Mills, which had shortfall of more than R500, were asked to explain why they have not been able to make payments to farmers and have been given time till February 14 to make the payments.

This time the reports are expected to contain details on payments made till February 15, Sharma said.