the goan I network
PONDA
Having missed yet another deadline, South Goa MP Adv. Narendra Sawaikar has now assured that the sugarcane crushing season at the Sanjeevani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana at Dharbandora would be started on December 13, since the online continuous monitoring station for pollution is almost completed.
“The work will be completed by Sunday and once the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) gives its consent, officials of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will visit the karkhana and inspect the system. Once we get a nod from these two agencies, the Karkhana will start operations,” said Sawaikar, while interacting with sugarcane farmers at a meeting on Saturday.
The sugarcane farmers had gathered at the karkhana on Saturday to reiterate their demands and Sawaikar convened a meeting with them.
Speaking to media persons, Us Utpadak Sanghatana
President Rajendra Jivaji Desai said they had visited the karkhana expecting the crushing season to begin on Saturday.
“We will give them a final chance. If they fail to start crushing season on Thursday, we will go inside the factory and start the machinery,” warned Desai.
Speaking to media persons, MLA Prasad Gaonkar assured to visit the karkhana on Thursday to ensure that the crushing season begins.
The meeting with farmers, which lasted for around three hours was also attended by Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar and administrator Damodar Morajkar.
Around 850 tonnes of sugarcane has already reached the karkhana.
“More is expected after it is harvested by farmers. If crushing season is delayed, farmers and even the karkhana face losses. But we are hopeful that crushing season will begin by Thursday,” Sawaikar said.
Stating that things are moving in the proper direction, Sawaikar said officials of CPCB were expected to reach Goa on Monday.
It may be recalled that the sugarcane farmers had demonstrated in front of the karkhana on November 26, in a bid to force authorities to start the crushing season at the earliest.
The farmers had raised concerns after the CPCB had issued a closure order to the karkhana for failing to install an online continuous monitoring station for effluent and stack emission.
To pacify the farmers, the government had assured to start crushing season by December 5, but it did not materialise. Later, they were promised by karkhana officials that the crushing season was possible by December 8.
