PONDA: Former PWD Minister and Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar on Monday said that to protect the interest of 1,500 sugarcane farmers, spending Rs 5 crore annually to run the Sanjivani Sugar Factory is not a big thing for the government.
“I feel sad that the government has still not found out a solution on the issue,” he said.
“If the sugar factory’s crushing season 2020-21 is not operated then the farmers livelihood would be badly affected. Earlier, I had also raised the issue in the Assembly,” Sudin said.
He further said, “First Chief Minister of Goa Bhausaheb Bandodkar established the sugar factory considering the interest of the Goan farmers and except present Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, all former Chief Ministers and Cooperation Ministers including me have contributed for the smooth operation of the sugar factory by overcoming all the obstacles and difficulties. However, I feel the pain that the present Cooperation Minister failed to deliver.”
“Even in 2012, then cooperation minister with the cooperation of then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar had managed to get Rs 5 crore Budget for revival of the sugar factory. But sadly, those MLAs who call themselves, sons of the farmers failed to realise the difficulties of the farmers.”
However, better late than never, Adv. Narendra Savoikar-led delegation met Chief Minister recently and discussed on the sugar factory issue.
Dhavalikar hoped that the government will never allow closure of the factory and the farmers are having faith on the government.
“The government should begin the crushing operation in Sanjivani Sugar Factory for the season 2020-21 to protect the interest of the farmers,” he added.
