The state government should help farmers who have suffered losses, but instead, a decision has been made to forcibly recover funds from sugarcane producers for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Sharad Pawar said on Sunday
Sharad Pawar said that farmers across the state have suffered major losses due to heavy rains. File Pic/X
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday strongly criticised the Maharashtra government’s move to impose a levy of Rs 10 per tonne of sugarcane on mills for the Chief Minister's (CM) Relief Fund and Rs 5 per tonne for assistance to flood-affected farmers.
He called the decision "completely wrong" and said it should be reconsidered.
Sharad Pawar said that farmers across the state have suffered major losses due to heavy rains.
"The state government should help farmers who have suffered losses, but instead, a decision has been made to forcibly recover funds from sugarcane producers for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. This is completely wrong. The Chief Minister should reconsider this decision," Sharad Pawar said, according to the ANI.
He stressed the need for a proper assessment of the damage and urged the government to support farmers instead of collecting money from them.
Pawar said, "Farmers and crops have suffered significant losses due to excessive rainfall... According to data from the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, sugarcane crops have been severely damaged in many areas of Marathwada and Western Maharashtra. A detailed assessment of this damage is necessary. Tomorrow, on the 12th, a Governing Council meeting will be held, which will include all sugar factories in the state. The state government is expected to provide maximum assistance to farmers," reported the ANI.
Pune | NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar says, "Farmers and crops have suffered significant losses due to excessive rainfall... According to data from the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, sugarcane crops have been severely damaged in many areas of Marathwada and Western Maharashtra. A… pic.twitter.com/rnBr79E90Z
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the state government’s decision to impose a levy on sugar mills, stating that the contribution will come from mill profits and not from farmers’ earnings, reported the PTI.
In view of the heavy rainfall and flood-related losses across parts of the state, the government last week announced that it would impose a levy of Rs 10 per tonne of sugarcane on mills for the Chief Minister's (CM) Relief Fund and Rs 5 per tonne for assistance to flood-affected farmers.
Leaders from the Opposition, however, have alleged that the decision will adversely affect farmers.
Speaking at an event at a sugar factory, CM Fadnavis said, "There are around 200 mills in the state. One mill may have to contribute about Rs 25 lakh to the CMRF. We are seeking funds from the profits of sugar mills, not from farmers," according to the PTI.
(with ANI and PTI)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
