the goan I network
VALPOI
The sugarcane may be available but the shortage of firewood has reportedly affected operations at the Sanjivani sugar factory in Dharbandora since the last few days, angering sugarcane cultivators who have now blamed the government for its indifferent approach to the factory.
Sugarcane crushing operations had been delayed at the Sanjivani sugar factory this season, due to objections by the Central Pollution Control Board and after authorities set up necessary mechanisms in place, the factory was allowed to operate.
Operations began last month, but since the last few days activities have come to a standstill due to lack of firewood, which is necessary at the factory.
The shortage has angered sugarcane cultivators, many of whom have criticised authorities for failing to make the necessary firewood available at the factory.
“Due to mismanagement at the sugar factory, we are facing huge loss in production,” complained Krishna Prasad Gadgil, a sugarcane cultivator from Khodye-Sattari.
“Harvesting is already in progress but we cannot take this harvested stock of sugarcane to the factory since it is not in operation due to shortage of firewood since the last few days.”
“Since the sugarcane cannot be crushed, the cane is left idle and is drying up. As a result of which, we are facing losses in production.”
“Right from the beginning, the government has not been serious about operations at the sugar factory. The present situation only proves that the government and the management at the sugar factory are least bothered about the infrastructure required for the smooth operations at the sugar factory,” Gadgil added.
Bhimrao Rane, another sugarcane cultivator from Advoi, also complained that many sugarcane cultivators were reluctant to undertake cultivation of sugarcane due to lack of support from the government and mismanagement at the sugar factory.
Despite efforts, the managing director at the Sanjivani sugar factory could not be contacted to comment on the shortage of firewood at the factory.
