The Indian government has increased vigilance on agricultural commodity companies and traders to control food prices ahead of the general election. The government has penalised nearly 80 sugar firms for selling more than their quota, asked wheat companies to disclose their stock during the harvest season, and directed rice exporters to pay export duty even on freight charges to discourage exports.
Farmers in Hatkanagle and Shirol have stopped the harvest and transporting of cane; sugar mills in Hatkangale and Shirol taluka of Kolhapur district have decided to suspend their operations.