OREANDA-NEWS. During the current Sugar Season 2015-16, about 230 million MT of sugarcane was procured from the farmers by the sugar mills across the country. Out of the total cane price dues payable of Rs.52, 900 Crore, on the basis of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), only Rs.4, 225 Crore are pending as cane price arrears are pending for current sugar season. Sugar mills have paid about 92% of their cane dues so far.

Out of the total pending cane price arrears for current sugar season, about Rs.1,975 Crore pertains to Uttar Pradesh which is about 14% of its dues payable. A major portion of the pending arrears about Rs.1,600 Crore belongs to five sugar group companies namely, Bajaj, Mawana, Modi, Simbhaoli and Rana.

Maharashtra being the major sugar producing state has cleared almost 96% of sugar cane dues payable and only Rs.5,90 Crore are pending as arrears. Other major sugar producing state like Karnataka have also paid 94% dues to farmers.

During sugar season 2014-15, the cane price arrears had peaked at Rs.21,800 Crore in the month of April, 2015 which is now reduced to Rs.684 Crore only. Central Government has been consistently monitoring the position of cane price arrear and advising the State Governments for speedy liquidation of arrears.