The sugarcane farmers at a meeting in Wadem-Sanguem.
Sugarcane farmers from Sanguem on Sunday threatened to agitate if the government fails to restart the Sanjivani Sugar Factory or start with the ethanol plant for the time being, as was promised to them.
At a meeting in Wadem, the speakers accused the government of taking the sugarcane farmers for granted and called upon the government to honour its promises or to be ready to face an agitation.
An elderly farmer, Sagun Gaonkar, said when the farmers had led an agitation at Sanguem two years ago, the government had assured to pay compensation to the farmers for the standing crop for five years.
“During that time, the government had assured to restart the Sanjivani Sugar Factory and also set up an ethanol plant at the factory premises for the time being. However, the government has not put in any efforts, either to set up the ethanol plant or revamp the Sanjivani Sugar Factory,” he said.
The farmers voiced concern over suspected moves to permanently close down the Sanjivani Sugar Factory by selling land to other institutions.
“We will not allow this to happen and we will not allow the government to part with land owned by the Sanjivani Sugar Factory,” claimed a farmer, Navso Rekdo.
The farmers also accused the government of failing to pay compensation in time.
“While last year, the compensation was diligently paid, this year the payment was made in parts and about 20 farmers from Wadem are yet to receive compensation,” said Francisco Mascarenhas.
Speaking further, Mascarenhas informed that the government has never informed farmers that the Sanjivani Sugar Factory would be closed.
