THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Worried over their future prospects and pending dues, the Sanjivani Sugar Factory sugarcane farmers on Thursday threatened to go on an indefinite strike if their pending dues are not paid by December 6.
The sugarcane farmers protested in front of the Administrator’s office, however, he was not present, which irked the farmers more and warned to stage indefinite ‘dharnas’ from December 6.
Worried over their livelihood and future, the sugarcane farmers said that they are not certain when the government is setting up the proposed ethanol plant through the Agriculture Department’s initiative as they were not asked to go for sugarcane cultivation despite it is now the season for cultivation.
It may be recalled that Sanjivani Sugar Factory farmers in its November 12 meeting had warned in advance to stage dharna on November 24, for non-payment of pending compensatory amount and no clarity over starting of the ethanol plant at the sugar factory. Followingly, the sugarcane farmers gathered outside the Administrator’s office on Thursday but the Administrator was not present to address their issues which irked them more.
The farmers expressed unhappiness against the government for not clearing their compensation amount for the year 2021-22. Further, with no clarity by the government as to when it is starting the ethanol plant at sugar factory premises, they warned to stage agitation over both these issues at the sugar factory premises.
Later, speaking to mediapersons, Rajendra Desai said that in the year 2020 with the government declaring closure of sugar factory, the farmers had met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and put before him the grievances of sugarcane producing farmers.
