Sugarcane Harvester Owners Launch Sit-in Protest, Warn of Intensified Agitation

A large-scale sit-in protest was launched by the Maharashtra State Sugarcane Harvester Owners Association in front of the Sugar Commissioner’s Office in Shivajinagar on Monday at 11 AM. The protest aims to push for crucial demands, including a 50% increase in sugarcane harvesting rates, a three-year extension for bank loan installments, and a 1.5% reduction in rent.

If the government fails to meet these demands, 1,300 sugarcane harvesting machine owners from across Maharashtra have warned of a massive agitation. They plan to take their machines to surround the sugar complex and the state ministry in Mumbai as a show of strength.

Protest Gains Momentum with Strong Participation

Hundreds of members of the Maharashtra State Sugarcane Harvester Owners Association took part in the protest, chanting slogans that reverberated across the sugar complex. They submitted a memorandum to Sugar Commissioner Siddharam Salimath last Wednesday, outlining their demands. The association has given an ultimatum: if their concerns remain unaddressed by March, they will escalate the agitation by surrounding the sugar complex starting April 10.

Demands and Struggles of the Sugarcane Harvester Owners

The protest leaders emphasized that their grievances have been ignored for years.

• Sanjay Salunke, President of the Association, stated that despite submitting representations to former Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad, no concrete action was taken.
• Amol Raje Jadhav, Secretary of the Association, expressed frustration, saying, “We have been fighting for our demands for the last five years, but the government has only given us false assurances. If our demands are ignored again, we will intensify the agitation.”

One of the key issues raised is the lack of subsidies. While Maharashtra has around 1,300 sugarcane harvesting machines, only a few have received subsidies. The remaining 900 machines have been awaiting subsidies since 2019 despite repeated appeals.

Rising Operational Costs Pushing Owners into Crisis

The association highlighted the financial burden faced by harvester owners due to soaring diesel prices and operational costs.

• Diesel consumption per ton: 3 liters
• Diesel cost per ton: ₹260 – ₹280
• Operator/driver salary and operational expenses per ton: ₹80
• Repairs, grease, and spare parts per ton: ₹100
• Total cost per ton: ₹460

Despite these expenses, sugar factories pay only ₹450-₹500 per ton, making it difficult for owners to repay bank loans.

Additionally, under the Sugar Commissioner’s GR, a 13.5% deduction is made from farmers, sugarcane cutters, and transporters, further squeezing machine owners’ income.

Threat of Massive Agitation if Demands Remain Unfulfilled

If the government does not take immediate action, the association has issued a stern warning: they will mobilize all 1,300 harvesting machines and march to Mumbai, surrounding the state ministry and sugar complex.

“If this happens, the government will be solely responsible for the consequences,” warned the association leaders.

Prominent Leaders and Protest Participants

Several key figures from the Maharashtra State Sugarcane Harvesting Machine Owners’ Association participated in the protest, including:

• Sanjay Salunke (Satara) – President
• Sagar Patil (Sangli)
• Ganesh Yadav (Pune)
• Jagannath Sapkal (Latur)
• Abhay Kolhe & Dhananjay Kale (Dharashiv)
• Jaideep Patil & Tushar Pawar (Sangli)
• Amol Raje Jadhav – Secretary

Conclusion

The sugarcane harvester owners’ protest is a major uprising in Maharashtra’s agricultural sector. With rising costs and delayed subsidies pushing them into financial distress, their demands are urgent and justified. If the government does not act swiftly, the planned April 10 agitation could disrupt the sugar industry and create widespread repercussions. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a resolution is reached or if Maharashtra witnesses one of its largest protests in the sugar sector.