PUNE, NOV 9: Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi today emphasised his government's firm commitment to lift the zoning restrictions imposed upon sugarcane farmers in the state.

``If need be, we are ready to make suitable legislation to remove such zoning restrictions,'' Joshi stressed while speaking at a function organised by the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Factory in Baramati taluka, about 100 kilometres from here, to mark the commencement of the 1997-98 crushing season of the factory.

The State Government had lifted zoning restrictions thereby entitling farmer-members of the cooperative sugar factories to sell off their excess produce to other factories falling outside their zones. Non-members, who, hitherto, were expected to sell their cane only to factories within their zones, too, were exempted from these restrictions. But, the state government's decision was challenged in the high court by the Maharashtra Cooperative Sugar Federation.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.