PANJIM: Amidst protests from sugarcane farmers against government’s proposal to close down the Sanjeevani Sugar Factory, the State government has said the factory has neither imported nor exported sugar for the last four years.
Moreover, the State Level Project Screening Committee rejected the proposal of Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd for the modernisation of the factory.
“A proposal was received from Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd, Dayanandnagar, Tisk for modernization/upgradation of Sugar factory through Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The proposal after conveying administrative approval of the government was referred to the Director, Directorate of Agriculture, which was placed before the State Level Project Screening Committee on May 21, 2019 for its consideration. However, the Committee rejected the proposal,” Minister for Co-operatives Govind Gaude said to an unstarred question tabled by MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar.
The minister also informed the Legislative Assembly that as per the Karkhana’s information they have neither imported nor exported sugar for the last four years.
The sugarcane farmers had last week served an ultimatum on the government to clarify its stand within eight days on the closure of the factory, failing which, they threatened to stage street protests.
An angry reaction came after Gaude had said on the floor of the House that it was not possible to start the next crushing season as Sanjeevani suffered total loss of Rs 104 crore and the government will appoint a committee to decide whether to continue its operation or not.
The farmers stated they were not responsible for the loss while pointing fingers at corrupt officials and government’s negligence for the current status of the factory.
