OREANDA-NEWS. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan , Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has said that ' we have to take care of interests of sugarcane farmers and there is a need to instill confidence in them and support them. But sentiments of sugar industry are also to be kept in mind so that industry can sustain over a period of time." Discussing issues concerning sugar sector with a delegation led by Chief Minister Of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis here today , Shri Paswan said the Government is sensitive about these issues and would take all possible steps for the welfare of sugarcane farmers and to make the sugar industry economically viable.

On the occasion Chief Minister of Maharashtra said in order to expedite crushing of sugarcane and to make sugar sector economically viable, the Center should allow further export of 25 LMT raw sugar and provide subsidy for this purpose. Interest free loan to sugar factories in lieu of excise duty paid by them should be considered to facilitate payment of FRP of 2014-15 crushing season. The CM also suggested increase of import duty on sugar from 25% to 40%, creation of buffer stock of 50 LMT in Maharashtra at factory level,restructuring of term loans by financial institutions and more assistance to sugar factories from the Sugarcane Development Fund.

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Shiri Rao Sahib Patil Danve was also present during the discussions .

The Delegation included Sh Dhananjay Mundey, Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra, Sh Chandrakant Patil , Minister of Cooperative Maharashtra, Shri Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, MP, Shri Sanjay kaka Patil, MP and Shri Raju Shetty MP.