Visakhapatnam: Reopening of the cooperative sugar mills in parts of Andhra Pradesh, which were shuttered a few years ago, was one of the pivotal electoral commitments of the NDA alliance. However, the alliance govt has remained inactive regarding this pledge even months after assuming administrative control.
Sugarcane farmers are demanding for reopening of the cooperative sugar mills in the state, citing that they were promised by the TDP, JSP and BJP leaders during the last assembly election that necessary steps would be taken to reopen the sugar mills once they assume power.
"In 2014, there were 29 sugar mills (10 cooperative and 19 private) in AP. Now, the number of mills came down to only five (one cooperative sugar mill located at Govada in Anakapalle district and four private mills) in the state," said Karri Appa Rao, president of AP sugarcane farmers' sangam.
Most of the sugar mills in the state downed their shutters as the successive govts failed to resolve grievances of management and farmers, he added.
The closure of sugar mills in the state was the major reason for shrinkage in cane cultivation in coastal Andhra as well as Rayalaseema districts. Neither farmers, nor the factories are happy with the output and govts utterly failed to revive the sugar factories, some sugarcane farmers added.
Meanwhile, Appa Rao said, " Forget about reopening of the closed sugar mills, the alliance leaders are making efforts to shut down the lone cooperative sugar mill located at Govada in Anakapalle district as some political leaders wanted to set up a distillery plant in Govada at the cost of the sugarcane farmers."
The farmers alleged that while govt has not released special grants to the cooperative sugar factories, the management has not cleared the farmers' dues yet.
"Sugarcane cultivation was traditionally quite popular in parts of north coastal AP and few parts of Rayalaseema region, but the area under sugarcane cultivation has been decreasing due to state govt's poor support," they added.
"The NDA leaders had reportedly promised that they will revive sugar factories in the state and set up agri-based ethanol units for the benefit of the sugarcane farmers. However, nothing has been done so far. If govt fails to fulfill its promises, the remaining sugar mills in the state will also shut down," said B Govind, a sugarcane farmer in Anakapalle region.
GFX
40% DECLINE IN CULTIVATION
Sugarcane farmers demand supportive price Rs 4,500 per tonne of cane
Most of the sugar factories in Andhra Pradesh shutdown
40% decline in area under sugarcane cultivation
NDA govt had assured revival of sugar mills in AP
Sugarcane among key crops in Anakapalle district
Sugarcane farmers getting bitter returns due to govt's apathy
