Mumbai, Nov 12 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government has unveiled a new incentive scheme aimed at promoting superior performance among cooperative and private sugar factories across the state.

Every year, six factories—three from the cooperative sector and three from the private sector—will be awarded based on their performance. A governmental resolution has been issued to formalize this initiative.

Under the resolution, sugar factories will be evaluated on nine key criteria including consistent payment of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to farmers for three consecutive years, sugar recovery rates, incentives for farmers achieving high production per hectare, integration of artificial intelligence, maximum area coverage, low carbon emissions, generation of carbon credits, timely repayment of government loans, adherence to employee strength limits, salary distribution, and precise financial management.

The FRP payments will account for 15 points, while points for financial management and employee limits will each contribute 5 points. All other criteria will be valued at 10 points each. A two-tier committee will oversee the selection process.

The Screening Committee, led by the Sugar Commissioner, will include the Joint Director of Sugar (Pune) as the member secretary.

Other members will consist of directors from the Economics and Administration divisions of the Sugar Commissioner's office, a representative from the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, one from the sugar federation, and two independent experts with expertise in economics, engineering, or agriculture relevant to the sugar sector.

A separate Steering Committee has been established under the chairmanship of the Minister of Cooperation, with the Deputy Secretary of the Cooperation Department as the member secretary. This committee will include the Minister of State for Cooperation, the Principal Secretary of the Cooperation Department, and the Sugar Commissioner.

As per the resolution, the Selection Committee will finalize the top three cooperative and private sugar factories based on the proposals from the Screening Committee. The exact prize amounts have yet to be disclosed.

Previously, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on September 30 that the sugarcane crushing season for 2025-26 will begin on November 1.

This decision was made during a ministerial committee meeting led by the Chief Minister in response to significant rainfall and flood-induced damages in various regions of the state, as stated in an official release.

The government also resolved to impose a fee of Rs 10 per tonne of sugarcane for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and an additional Rs 5 per tonne to support farmers affected by floods.