Team Herald
PONDA: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar visited Sanjivani Sugar Factory on Monday and took stock of the functioning, considering that the sugar factory has been in losses since past several years.
After inspecting various facilities and being briefed by the officials, he told the media that the factory was in dire needs of improvement and that adequate time should be given for visible results.
He revealed that he had learnt of the various problems plaguing the factory and also understands the grievances of sugarcane producers in the State.
Parrikar also assured the factory officials and sugarcane producers of financial relief on the condition that they make all efforts to increase sugarcane production, as at the moment sugarcane was being imported from other states incurring a heavy cost burden to Sanjivani factory.
Elaborating further, he said before providing relief to Sanjivani, the government would look into the progress report of factory.
Savordem MLA Deepak Pauskar, Administrator of Sanjeevani Sugar Factory Umeshchandra Joshi, Balkrishna Patil and other officials were present.
He said last year per tonne sugarcane rate offered to farmers was Rs 2500 including subsidy, but from this year Rs 500 would be added, making it Rs 3000 per tonne.
The President of Gomantak Sugarcane Producer Union Rajendra Desai urged the Chief Minister to provide fallow land in Goa for undertaking sugarcane production, beside necessary provision of water.
He also demanded the labour teams to famers to help the sugarcane harvesting.
Parrikar has invited the farmers to Panjim next week to discuss further on the various issues.
The Sugarcane crushing season will commence from the November first week this year.
