Sanjeevani sugar factory machinery will be replaced: Parsekar
Sugarcane crushing season begins at factory
the goan network
PONDA
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday assured workers and farmers of Sanjeevani Sahakari Sakhar karkhana that the government would replace the machinery, to motivate farmers and to turn the factory into a profit-making venture.
The promise, however, came with conditions: The stakeholders would have to properly utilize the funds and should cooperate with the government.
He was speaking on the occasion of 43rd sugarcane crushing season, widely known as ‘Gallit Hangam,’ which began on Saturday morning.
Industries Minister Mahadev Naik, Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldesai, Registrar of Cooperative Societies Narayan Sawant, managing director of Sanjeevani Pradeep Naik, Dharbandora Zilla Panchayat member Govind Gaonkar and president of 'Akhil Gomantak Us Utpadaka Sanghatana' Rajendra Desai were present on the dais.
“The government can invest and modernize the machinery, but there should be improvement in the production which can bring in profits for the Sanjeevani sugar factory. The amount spent on the Sanjeevani sugar factory comes from taxpayers and hence, funds should be utilised judiciously, so that these funds do not get wasted,” said the chief minister.
Parsekar also assured the contract workers to resolve their grievances regarding the confirmation of their jobs.
Mahadev Naik commented that since the last 43 years the Sanjeevani sugar factory has been in loss, which had accumulated to Rs 74 crore.
“However, I am making efforts to improve the situation. We are trying to curtail the expenses to bring down the losses. It is the responsibility of workers and staff concerned to work wisely in order to sustain the Sanjeevani sugar factory,” he said.
Last year, 57,913 tonnes of sugarcane was procured from farmers in Goa, while 66,868 tonnes was procured from neighbouring states. In 2013, 48,771 tonnes of sugarcane was procured from Goa, while 77,823 tonnes was procured from neighbouring states. This year, we are expecting more output from Goa, as areas of cultivation have increased in Pernem, Collem and Sanguem.
Subhash Phaldesai lamented that wild boars destroy the sugarcane farms and requested the government to initiate some measures to deter the wild animals.
“Farmers are helpless when wild boars enter their farms. The wild animals can’t be hurt as the law does not permit that, but I feel the government should provide suitable compensation to the farmers to motivate them to pursue their activities,” said Phaldesai.
Ganesh Gaonkar also spoke on the occasion and assured the farmers and staff of Sanjeevani that the BJP-led government would resolve their issues.
