Maharashtra Sugarcane Control Board gets green signal, CM's nod awaited.

Before the election code of conduct comes into force, the government of Maharashtra has given the green signal for formation of the Maharashtra Sugarcane Control Board. 'The board has been approved by the committee of ministers and now awaits final approval from CM Prithviraj Chavan,' said Harshavardhan Patil, minister for cooperation and parliamentary affairs.

The government hopes the measure will put a stop to farmer stirs, common in the state before the start of any crushing season. Already some farmer bodies have threatened to stop operations at the start of the October season unless they get a good price.

The 15-member board, to be headed by the chief secretary, will comprise secretaries from ministries and representatives from sugar mills and farmer organisations, and will link cane prices to income of sugar factories, thus deciding cane payment in line with the recommendations of the Rangarajan Committee, the minister said recently.

FE