Team Herald
PONDA: Panic struck sugarcane farmers when they learnt that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has directed the Sanjivani sugar factory not to start the crushing season this year.
The fear stricken farmers gathered at the factory to meet the Administrator Damodar Morajkar for clarification on CPCB order. However, since Morajkar was on leave, the farmers have convened an urgent meeting at the factory premise, on Monday.
Later, expressing fear of losing livelihood, the farmers wondered what to do with the sugarcane that has been cultivated this season.
Speaking to media persons at the factory, the farmers said that at least 1200 metric tonne of sugarcane is needed per day for running the operation and of which 700 metric tonnes are brought from Karnataka. However, they said, since Karnataka has closed down Belgaum-Ramnagar-Anmod road for construction of national highway, how the factory would bring such huge quantity of sugarcane from that State. “Without bringing 700 metric tonnes from Karnataka, per day, it would not be possible to operate the factory,” said a farmer.
Meanwhile, the farmers have demanded that the government clear all their dues. Further, the farmers demanded that the factory be handed over to them for a year along with maintenance and labour cost so that they could run it themselves.
Meanwhile, when contacted, South Goa MP Adv Narendra Savoikar said that he would immediately hold discussion with Central Pollution Control Board as well as Central Minister Harsha Vardhan Rathod on the issue.
He said that in the interest of the farmers, he would do everything possible to commence the crushing season, immediately.
