PONDA: The Sanjeevani Sugarcane Producing Farmers gathered at the sugar factory premises at Dharbandora and expressed unhappiness over non-payment of dues for the year 2021-22.
They charged that the government was still unsure as to when it would start with the ethanol plant and warned that they had no option left before them but to agitate if their demands are not settled by Nov 24.
Later speaking to media, Rajendra Desai said that in 2020, the government declared closure of sugar factory and the farmers met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and placed their grievances before him.
Desai said that the CM had promised to pay compensation to them and also restart the Sanjeevani Sugar Factory.
The compensation for five years were decided with Rs 3,000 per tonne for the first year, Rs 2,800 for the second year, Rs 2,600 for the third year, Rs 2,400 for the fourth year and Rs 2,200 for fifth year.
However after paying them compensation in 2020-21, they were not compensated the next year.
He further said the farmers are also uncertain about when the government would launch the ethanol plant by Agriculture Department.
With regard to the government plan to set up truck terminus, the farmers said they are not opposing if it would fetch revenue but first government should compensate them and also start an ethanol plant for survival of sugarcane farmers failing which they warned to start agitation from November 24 for their demands.
