Sugarcane farmers from across the state have been supplying canes to sugar mills at various places. The crushing season starts on October 1 and ends on September 30. A total of 18 sugar mills are being run by the public sector and cooperative departments and around 20 are in the private sector. While the Centre fixed fair remunerative price (FRP) at Rs 3,150 per tonne for the 2022-23 crushing season, the state government announced Rs 195 per tonne of sugarcane to eligible farmers who supply cane to registered mills. Hence, apart from FRP, the Tamil Nadu government will disburse Rs 195 per tonne to farmers, said Swamimalai S Vimalnathan, secretary of Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association.

 

“Despite the crushing season having already ended by September 30, the announced incentive has not yet been disbursed to eligible farmers. When we contacted concerned officials in the office of Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation, they said they were awaiting orders to disburse the amount. The government should give its nod so that farmers will get the money before Diwali,” Vimalnathan added.

 

The state government disbursed Rs 214 crore as special production incentive to 1.21 lakh cane farmers for 109 lakh tonnes of cane crushed during the 2021-22 season. A total of 130 lakh tonnes of canes have been crushed in the current 2022-23 crushing season. The state government should disburse Rs 245 crore to cane farmers, he added.

 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the start of this year's sugarcane crushing season from November 1. The total sugarcane area available for crushing is 14.07 lakh hectares, with an estimated sugar production of 88.58 lakh metric tonnes. The sugarcane area has decreased by 6% compared to last year. Shinde directed sugar mills not to start operations before the scheduled date. Additionally, it was decided that Rs 10 per ton would be collected from the sugar mills for the benefit of sugarcane workers and their families.

 

Farmers in Patiala district fear that the government might call in the Army if protests over the SYL canal dispute escalate. They want the canal to be functional so they can irrigate their fields and not rely on borewells. The canal, which is currently incomplete, has caused flooding in villages due to half-levelled portions. Many farmers believe that the canal should benefit Punjab as well as Haryana, as Haryana was previously part of Punjab. The canal is currently neglected, with thick vegetation covering it and stray animals destroying crops.

 

The Empowered committee in PLI scheme has approved Rs 1,000 crore disbursement to beneficiary firms in the electronics sector. The scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and support exports. So far, Rs 2,900 crore has been disbursed out of claims worth Rs 3,400 crore. The scheme covers 14 sectors, including electronics, pharma, and medical devices. Sectors performing well include electronics, pharma, food processing, and white goods, while sectors like solar PV modules, ACC batteries, textile products, and speciality steel are not picking up well.