India, Sept. 27 -- Eight sugar mills in Maharashtra have been directed to clear outstanding fair and remunerative price (FRP) dues of more than Rs.89 crore to farmers, failing which their crushing licences will not be renewed for the upcoming season. Sanjay Kolte, state sugar commissioner, said, "The mills would not be permitted to undertake sugarcane crushing for the new season, scheduled to begin on October 15, unless they cleared the pending dues."

The mills are located in Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Solapur and Satara districts.

All 210 cooperative and private sugar mills in the state are required to apply to the sugar commissionerate for renewal of their crushing licences before the start of every season.

According to offic...