Sugar mill owners to start early crushing under fear of ED probe: Farmers’ leader Raju Shetti
Farmers' leader Raju Shetti has accused sugar mill owners in India of bowing to government pressure to begin the crushing season early to avoid investigations by federal agencies. Shetti argues that early crushing harms farmers' profits and warns of potential protests if mills open before mid-November.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the intersection of agricultural policy, political pressure, and the economic stability of the Indian sugar industry.
Farmers’ leader and former MP Raju Shetti on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) alleged that sugar mill owners have been attempting to start mills for crushing at higher sugar price and ethanol purchase price, accusing them of falling to pressure of the ruling government and fear of ED and CBI probes.
“Government is scared that the price of sugar may got to ₹100 due to shortage. I ask why should farmer and mill owners bear the loss,” said Mr. Shetti, alleging that sugar mill owners, to escape ED inquiries and keep the government happy, have been desperate to start the mills.
He warned mill owners not to start mills before November, saying that till the MSP of sugar is not hiked to ₹50, ethanol price to ₹70, and sugarcane MSP to ₹5,000, the mills are to be kept shut.
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