Comprehensive Law to Protect Sugarcane Farmers and Workers: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s Directive

Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed the drafting of an all-encompassing law to safeguard the interests of sugarcane farmers, harvesting workers, and all stakeholders involved in the sugar industry. The proposed legislation aims to prevent fraud committed by harvesting contractors and ensure fair treatment for laborers and farmers.

At a meeting held at Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai, Pawar emphasized the need to curb large-scale financial fraud in advance payments (agrim) between sugar mills, transporters, harvesting contractors, and workers. He stressed that such a law would prevent crimes linked to these financial disputes, protect sugarcane farmers from economic losses, and secure the rights of harvesting workers.

The proposed law will be formulated by the Labor and Social Justice Departments in coordination with the Cooperation, Home, and Law & Justice Departments. They will consult with representatives of sugar mills, transporters, farmers, and laborers before presenting the draft for Cabinet approval.

During the meeting, Pawar highlighted the current challenges in the industry, stating that sugar mills sign agreements with harvesting contractors who receive substantial advance payments but often fail to fulfill their contractual obligations. This leads to a shortage of labor, incomplete harvesting operations, and financial losses for both mills and farmers. In some cases, crimes such as the murder of transporters have been linked to such disputes. Additionally, cases of fraud involving millions of rupees by contractors and workers have been registered.

The meeting was attended by Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, MLA Abhijit Patil, Sugar Federation Director Jayprakash Dandegaonkar, Vasantdada Sugar Institute Executive Director Ajit Chougule, Sugar Federation Managing Director Sanjay Khatal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning Department Rajgopal Deora, Principal Secretary of the Social Justice Department Harshadeep Kamble, Principal Secretary of the Labor Department I.A. Kundan, Special Principal Secretary of the Home Department Anup Kumar, Special Inspector General of Police Manoj Sharma, Sugar Commissioner Siddharam Salimath, and legal expert Adv. Bhushan Mahadik, along with senior officials and industry representatives.

Deputy CM Pawar reiterated that protecting the rights of sugarcane workers is the government’s primary responsibility. He highlighted the establishment of the Gopinath Munde Sugarcane Workers Welfare Corporation, which allocates substantial funds for laborers’ welfare, including education for their children and healthcare. Efforts are also underway to register workers and issue identification cards based on Aadhaar to ensure benefits reach more laborers.

While ensuring laborers’ welfare, Pawar emphasized the importance of protecting farmers from fraudulent practices by sugar mills. He pointed out that harvesting contractors receive large advance payments but fail to supply the required labor, causing financial losses to both mills and farmers. To address this, a comprehensive law is essential.

Pawar instructed the Social Justice and Labor Departments to collaborate and draft a balanced law, ensuring that no stakeholder—whether farmers, laborers, or mills—is unfairly treated. The law should guarantee justice for all while maintaining transparency and accountability in the sugar industry.