FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday told House that the State-run Sanjivani Sugar factory will not be closed down permanently, announcing that the government is exploring setting up an Ethanol production Plant at the mill.
“We are not closing down the factory,” the chief minister assured while informing us that a special support price scheme for the farmers for the next five years has already been notified.
The assurance came following the opposition cornered government over the fate of the factory as the livelihood of over 900 sugarcane producing farmers is dependent on it. The opposition demanded that justice needs to be given to the farmers, who have been in the business for decades.
The Speaker Rajesh Patnekar allowed special calling attention on Sugar factory, moved by MGP MLA Ramakrishna Dhavalikar and Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar, who were on ‘sit-in’ protest in the well of the House demanding same.
Replying to the apprehensions raised by the opposition, Sawant said that the government has appointed Deccan Sugar Technology Association, Pune as a consultant to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for setting up an ethanol production plant at the factory.
He said that the Central government has approved Rs 54.76cr Interest subvention loan for the project. “The DPR will be ready in 45 days. The proposal will then be sent to the Central government for approval,” said Sawant.
He said that under the scheme, a support price of Rs 3000 per tonne was given for the year 2020-21, Rs 2,800 per tonne will be given in 2021-22, Rs 2,600 per tonne for 2022-23, Rs 2,400 per tonne for 2023-24 and Rs 2,200 per tonne for the year 2024-25 will be dispersed to the farmers. “We will not be taking over the sugarcane …the farmers are at liberty to decide where and whom to sell the raw product,” said Sawant.
“Government is also ready to provide subsidy through horticulture if the farmer wants to opt for the alternate crop,” he said.
Earlier, the leader of opposition Digambar Kamat said that it is a tissue touching heart of the farmers. “Any effort to shut down the factory will discourage the farmers,” said Kamat expressing confidence in government.
He pointed out that despite running in loss, the government never shut down Kadamba Transport Corporation.
Independent Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar said that nearly 900-1000 farmers are dependent on the factory for their survival. Participating in the discussion, Dhavalikar sought to know, what after five years, when the scheme lapses. “What has government decided,” he asked.
