MUMBAI: Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded a level playing field for sugar co-operative mills in the state.
At a meeting with Union home and co-operatives minister Amit Shah, Fadnavis raised the issue of co-operative mills owned by ruling party members often being favoured at the cost of other mills, and urged the Centre provide a package that will ensure all get the same treatment. “The politics of favouritism is often played in the state with those close to the ruling party being favoured and others being showed rules,” he said.
The issue of restructuring of loans in the light of unseasonal rain, drought, Covid leading to short margins, and some co-operatives becoming non-performing assets was also raised with Shah. “There are income tax issues pending for 15-20 years, where co-operatives are being told to pay income tax for having paid more than the fair and remunerative price (FRP) to farmers. Shah said amendments will be made to the Act to ensure farmers are not affected and co-operatives are not harassed,” he said. Fadnavis said Shah assured finance to cooperative mills willing to set up ethanol plants. A tripartite agreement will be signed with petroleum companies for the purpose.
