"The government will provide Rs 2,100 crore to help the distressed sugars mills, however, it will initiate criminal proceedings against the mills which fail to pay FRP to sugarcane producers," Cooperatives Minister Chandrakant Patil said here.
Talking to reporters, Patil added that the government will consider withdrawing cases registered in the last ten years against the farmers in the course of agitations of sugarcane growers if the offence was not serious.
The Devendra Fadnavis-led Ministry is likely to be expanded next week and around 20 new ministers, including those from allies will be inducted, Patil said, but evaded a question on whether Shiv Sena will be a part of the expansion.