The end of the agitation was announced at the Kini toll plaza and in Satara around 1 am on Friday (November 6). Photo: PTI
Maharashtra farmers end NH-48 blockade as sugar mills accept Rs 4,200 per tonne formula
The protest led by Raju Shetti's Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana was called off after a late-night agreement in Kolhapur
The farmers’ agitation that disrupted traffic on the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway-48 for more than 61 hours ended early Friday (November 6) after sugar mill owners agreed to a payment formula offering sugarcane growers up to Rs 4,200 per tonne. The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, led by Raju Shetti, called off its protest following an agreement reached late Thursday night (November 6).
Sugar mills agree to Rs 4,200 per tonne formula
The meeting took place at the Kolhapur district collector’s office in the presence of Minister Hasan Mushrif and representatives of sugar factories. Shetti, who had sought Rs 4,500 per tonne, agreed to the revised amount, reported the Indian Express.
Also Read: Karnataka sugarcane stir intensifies as farmers launch ‘Jail Bharo’ protest in Belagavi
“The formula has been finalised. Farmers will receive an initial payment of Rs 3,900 per tonne, followed by Rs 100 at the end of the crushing season. The remaining Rs 200 will be paid before the next crushing season, provided sugar prices remain stable at Rs 45 per kg,” Shetti said.
If sugar prices cross Rs 45 per kg, farmers will receive 70 per cent of the additional revenue, while factory owners will get the remaining 30 per cent, stated the report.
Protest ends, traffic begins returning to normal
Shetti announced the end of the agitation at the Kini toll plaza and in Satara around 1 am on Friday. A strike planned for Friday was also withdrawn. Traffic on the Pune-Satara-Kolhapur stretch of NH-48 began returning to normal.
Also Read: Sugarcane farmers block highways in Karnataka, demand higher prices
The blockade had affected nearly 120 km between Nagthane in Satara district and Sangli Phata in Kolhapur district. Scores of heavy vehicles were stranded. Traffic diversions resulted in congestion also on smaller roads. Commuters travelling towards Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara and Belagavi had to deal with severe delays. The agitation also left more than 1,500 trucks carrying essential goods stranded, according to Maharashtra State Transporters Association president Baba Shinde.
The backdrop
The agitation comes after nearly two months of protests by sugarcane growers in Maharashtra, who have been demanding a better price for their produce. Farmers have accused the state government and sugar mill owners of ignoring their demands.
Farmers in Satara later joined the agitation and warned that they would intensify the protest if their demands were not accepted.