PONDA
Accusing the State government of failing to take cognisance of the plight and demands of sugarcane farmers following the closure of the Sanjeevani Sugar factory, sugarcane farmers have now threatened to agitate outside the factory from November 24 if their demands are not met within eight days.
At a special meeting of sugarcane farmers chaired by Gomantak Sugarcane Producers Association Chairman Rajendra Desai at the Sanjeevani Sugar factory hall, the farmers complained that announcements by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have not been fulfilled as yet, leading the sugarcane growers into an acute financial crisis.
After the meeting, Desai interacted with reporters and pointed out to the chief minister’s announcement of giving compensation to the sugarcane farmers.
“Compensation was given in the first year but there was no compensation in the second year, causing sugarcane farmers acute financial crisis,” said Desai.
“If the demands of sugarcane farmers are not fulfilled within eight days, we will launch an agitation outside the gate of the sugarcane factory,” warned Desai.
“The government is trying to allocate the land of Sanjeevani Sugar factory to other parties. The government can decide on such allocation only after completing the long-pending demands of the sugarcane growing farmers,” insisted Desai.
Another farmer, Francis Mascarenhas, highlighted the need to start an ethanol project on a priority basis to provide an option to the sugarcane growers.
“The agriculture department should start an awareness campaign about this opportunity,” he said.
The sugarcane farmers complained that they have been kept in dark about the government’s decisions and they have become sceptical about the intentions of the government.
Others present at the meeting included prominent sugarcane farmers like Gurudas Gad, Harshad Prabhudesai, Dayanand Phaldesai, Madhu Sawant, Bostao Simoes, Mahadev Sawant, Prasad Velip, Ashok Velip, Prasad Gadgil.
