Joshi flags alleged sugar recovery manipulation, weight discrepancies; seeks probe

Bengaluru, Oct 15 : Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has urged Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to order a comprehensive inquiry into alleged irregularities in sugar recovery assessment and sugarcane weighment by sugar mills, warning that such discrepancies could cause significant financial losses to farmers.

In a letter to the Chief Minister on Wednesday, Joshi called for independent verification of sugar recovery figures reported by sugar mills, regular inspection of weighbridges and action on complaints of deductions of around eight per cent on mechanically harvested sugarcane.

The demands follow concerns raised by representatives of Karnataka's sugarcane farmers during a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. The farmers alleged that under-reporting of sugar recovery and discrepancies in the weighing of sugarcane were adversely affecting the payments they received for their produce.

Joshi pointed out that some sugar mills were allegedly recording lower recovery rates than the actual levels, potentially depriving farmers of their rightful remuneration. He urged the state government to independently verify the figures submitted by the mills instead of relying solely on factory-provided data.

To improve transparency and accountability, the Union Minister suggested exploring the establishment of sugar recovery testing laboratories or inspection centres in major sugarcane-growing regions. Such facilities could independently assess recovery levels and help ensure fair and accurate reporting.

He also called for regular calibration, verification and inspection of weighbridges installed at sugar mills to prevent discrepancies in the recorded weight of sugarcane supplied by farmers.

Raising concerns over the alleged deduction of around eight per cent on mechanically harvested sugarcane, Joshi urged the state government to examine the complaints and take appropriate measures to prevent unjustified deductions from farmers' payments.

Emphasising the need to safeguard sugarcane growers' interests, Joshi said transparent procedures for determining cane weight and sugar recovery were essential to ensuring fair compensation.

The complaints come amid continuing concerns over sugarcane prices and farmers' financial interests in Karnataka. Independent verification of mill records and weighing systems could help establish whether the alleged discrepancies exist and ensure accountability wherever irregularities are found.

There was no response from the Karnataka government or the sugar mills to the allegations in the material available.

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