Team Herald
PORVORIM: Co-operation Minister Govind Gaude assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that Sanjivani Sugar Factory will not be shut, however, alternative products such as ethanol would be considered as replacement if the present crisis continues.
Co-operation Minister, Govind Gaude said “We have never said that the (Sanjivani Sugar) factory will be closed forever. I have only stated that it is not possible to start the operations in November. We are also finding alternatives, if the quantum of produce from the local farmers is not up to the requirement.”
The Minister was replying to the Demands For Grants on Cooperation.
He explained that they have been facing a difficult situation to import sugarcane from neighbouring States as their farmers’ produce is sold to the factories in their respective States. “If our production is higher then there is no problem… Nevertheless we will hold a dialogue with our local sugarcane farmers about the machineries and whether the operations can begin this season or not,” he said assuring a solution to the crisis.
If the operations do not begin in the new season, Gaude assured to still procure the local produce and export the same to the factories in other states as a temporary measure.
“I will ensure our farmers are not in loss. We will purchase the sugarcane and even give them subsidies,” he added.
The minister informed that the government had appointed a consultant to explore other methods of utilising sugarcane in Goa. With the report of Dadasaheb Sugar Institute already submitted to the government, the Cooperation Department has approached another national institute at Kanpur for a second opinion. “We will analyse this in another two to three months,” he said.
The minister was responding to questions raised by the legislators in the House raising apprehensions on behalf of the farmers about the proposed closure of the factory.
MLA Prasad Gaonkar even threatened to protest on the streets of Panjim if the factory is shut. “The factory is serving more than a thousand families. Closure of the factory is not an option. It will be like shutting down the Agriculture Department. If the factory is closed, I along with the farmers will come on the streets of Panjim,” he warned.
Opposing the demolition of Kala Academy, Churchill Alemao said the government should not render the farmers jobless by closing the sugar factory. Legislators cutting across the party lines extended their support in continuing with the factory operations and resolve the issue in the interest of the farmers and their families.
The cumulative loss of the factory, has piled up to Rs 101 crore approximately over the years.
On the issue of the loss to Goa Dairy, the minister said action will be taken against whoever is responsible for the loss.
