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Finally, sugarcane cutters in Pune get identity cards, as DLSA tackles red tapism

DSLA tackled red tapism and finally the identity cards of 561 sugarcane cutters working with different sugar factories in Pune district were prepared.

Over five thousand sugarcane cutters in Pune itself are yet to get their identity cards. (Express photo)

Nearly three years after the Maharashtra government initiated a program to provide identity cards to the sugarcane cutters, not a single among them from Pune district had received it, until the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Pune, intervened, recently.

DSLA tackled red tapism and finally the identity cards of 561 sugarcane cutters working with different sugar factories in Pune district were prepared. Of them, 55 sugarcane cutters were given their identity cards last month, ceremoniously, in presence of Principal Districts and Sessions Judge Mahendra Mahajan in Pune.

As per a DLSA press release, at the ceremony held on April 23, Mahajan said, “Sugarcane cutters are the backbone of Maharashtra’s agrarian economy, yet their identity often goes unrecognised. Through this initiative, we not only provide them with an identity card—we acknowledge their dignity, contribution, and right to access justice and welfare. The judiciary must extend beyond courtrooms to where justice is truly needed.”

Meanwhile, over five thousand sugarcane cutters in Pune itself are yet to get their identity cards. It was in 2021 that the Maharashtra government initiated a program to maintain records of sugarcane cutters and provide them identity cards, which would give them access to various government schemes related to health, education, hostel facilities for children, financial assistance and life insurance of Rs 5 lakh.

In April 2022, the ‘Loknete Gopinath Munde Sugarcane Workers Welfare Corporation’ was inaugurated. It aimed to offer welfare and social security schemes to the few lakh sugarcane cutters in Maharashtra, which included providing identity cards.

According to Sonal Patil, Secretary, DLSA, Pune, when they started awareness programmes for sugarcane cutters at the Sugar Factories in Pune district last year, it was learnt that none of them had received identity cards. “Due to lack of education and awareness, many of the sugarcane cutters living in harsh conditions, were not even aware of the identity cards and its benefits,” said Patil.

She added, “After awareness sessions, we received 5,132 applications from sugarcane cutters, who worked in Pune based sugar factories, but a majority of them were natives of other districts. As per a government ruling, the local Gram Sevaks were supposed to provide identity cards to the sugarcane cutters who have worked at any Sugar factory for three continuous years.”

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Patil said the Gram Sevaks were initially reluctant in doing their job, so the DLSA decided to report to their senior authorities and also communicated with the Loknete Gopinath Munde Sugarcane Workers Welfare Corporation for assistance.

“We helped the sugarcane cutters in compiling their documents, getting three years work experience letters from Sugar Factories. Then, after a consistent outreach and cooperation with government departments, the process of preparing and issuing the identity cards to the sugarcane cutters started. We hope it continues and all sugarcane cutters in the district get identity cards to support their legal and social inclusion,” said Patil.

When contacted, Gorakh Chavan, from the Kasabkheda village in Nashik district, said, “I worked at the Shri Vighnahar Co-operative Sugar Factory in Junnar Taluka of Pune district. I am glad to receive my identity card…. I have two children. I hope the identity card helps me and my family for a better future”

However, another sugarcane cutter Ulhas Rathod from Jalna, said he too worked with a sugar factory in Pune, but has not received his identity card yet. A DLSA official said of the 561 identity cards, 55 have been issued directly to the sugarcane cutters. While the remaining, including that of Ulhas Rathod, have been handed over to their factories.
A sugar factory official from Pune said they would give these identity cards to the sugarcane cutters, who have now gone back to their native places after the end of the sugarcane crushing season in March.

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he is one of the region's most authoritative voices on crime, national security, and legal affairs. Professional Profile Specialization: He specialises covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He is at the helm of the widely read weekly series “Pune Crime Files”. He is widely recognized for his deep-dive coverage of the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and the Elgaar Parishad investigation. Key Beats: His portfolio includes covering crimes mainly under the jurisdiction of Pune City, Pune rural and Pimpri Chinchwad Police, along with the sensitive cases from the state, being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background: Before his long tenure at The Indian Express, he worked with other Marathi and English publications, giving him a unique grassroots understanding of Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Awards and Recognition: He got the CMS PANOS Young Environment Journalist Award in January 2014 for investigative reports on illegal activities in Sahyadri Tiger Rerserve. He received the award for outstanding investigative journalism by the Lokmat group in Pune in January 2020, “Missing since 2010, Pune youth a ‘Maoist Commander’ in Chhattisgarh”, which appeared on July 9, 2019. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) In recent months, Chandan’s reporting has focused on high-profile terror case investigations, inter-state firearms racket, leopard movements in Pune city, cyber scams and hearings of the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry. 1. High-Profile crimes and terrorism cases “Techie linked to Al-Qaeda preached democracy is against Shariat” (Nov 17, 2025). Reporting on the ongoing investigation into the arrest of IT professional Zubair Hangargekar (37) from Pune for alleged terror links. “The case against Jyoti Jagtap, member of ‘Maoist front’ Kabir Kala Manch and Elgaar Parishad organiser, granted interim bail by apex court” (Nov 20, 2025) Tracking the updates in the high profile Elgaar Parishad case related to the alleged naxal activities in urban areas. “How NIA arrested doctor turned ‘ISIS recruiter’ in Maharashtra terror module case” (Nov 24, 2025) After the arrest of doctors in Delhi Red Fort blast, a report on alleged terror links of a consulting anaesthetist from a Pune hospital. “A year after loco pilot averts tragedy by spotting gas cylinder on railway track, probe still inconclusive” (Dec 8, 2025). Report on the unsolved case of a suspected sabotage incident, which could have derailed a train. “No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel” (Dec 1, 2025) Reporting on a sensitive issue related to the Koregaon Bhima violence. 2. Inter-state firearms racket "Pune police swoop down on ‘village of pistols’ in Madhya Pradesh; 36 detained, 50 kilns destroyed" (Nov 22, 2025) "Recce a week before, microplanning: how Pune police raided ‘village of pistols’ in MP" (Nov 24, 2025) Reporting on the illegal gun manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh 3. Cybercrime & Financial Scams “Pimpri Chinchwad police arrest ‘bank account supplier’ with links to China, nationwide cyber scams" (Nov 27, 2025) An investigative look at the modus opernadi of international cyber-gangs cheating high-earning professionals across the country ‘Your case linked to Pahalgam terrorist’: Pune businessman loses Rs 1.44 crore to fraudster posing as NIA chief" (Oct 18, 2025) Report on the tricks played on cyber scammers cheating people through digital arrest frauds Signature Style: The Investigative Hit Chandan is known for his ability to cultivate deep-cover sources within the police and intelligence agencies. His writing often goes beyond the "police version" of events, providing historical context and identifying systemic lapses. He is particularly respected for his balanced reporting on sensitive communal issues and his persistent tracking of the Maoist urban-link cases, making his columns essential reading for legal experts and policymakers. X (Twitter): @chandan_pune ... Read More

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