MAPUSA
The government-run but loss-making Sanjivani sugar factory is set to soon produce ethanol, as the State Cabinet on Thursday gave a green signal for installation of a 40 KLD ethanol production distillery unit at the factory in Dharbandora.
Pune-based Deccan Sugar Technologists Association (DSTS) has been appointed to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) for the venture.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that provisions will be made in such a way that both sugar and ethanol will be produced in the factory.
He further informed that DSTS has been appointed as the consultancy firm to prepare the project report which will then be forwarded to the Centre.
“Government of India is providing the State almost Rs 56 crores at a low rate of interest to set up the ethanol plant. DSTS will work out how much capital we require to set up the unit which will be then forwarded to the Centre,” Sawant said.
He said the State government will pay the consultancy firm Rs four lakh to prepare the report.
The first hint that Sanjivani sugar factory would start producing ethanol came, last week, after the government appointed administrator Chintamani Perni informed that a consultant has been appointed to prepare a DPR for production of ethanol.
He had also said that producing sugar was no longer profitable and there was huge demand for ethanol in the country.
He said the government spent a lot of money on ethanol import and therefore ethanol production would be a viable option for the Sanjivani.
With the Sanjivani sugar factory reporting huge losses the State government had shut down operations of the plant for the last almost two years.
In another decision, the State government has issued a notification to set up a solar energy grid in the State.
“The government has approved a revised scheme for the promotion of the grid connection of the solar rooftop system with a net metering for Goa Energy Development Agencies,” the CM informed.
The cabinet has also approved some changes in the Goa Startup Policy.
“Some changes were suggested to remove impediments that came in the way to set up the startups in the State,” Sawant said.
