CABINET APPROVES RESTART OF SUGAL MILLS

CABINET APPROVES RESTART OF SUGAL MILLS

27-NOV-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------The first cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved the re-operation of nine closed sugar mills. Samastipur unit, Sakari unit (Darbhanga), Raiyam unit (Darbhanga), Motipur unit (Muzaffarpur), Kavanpur Sugar Works Limited, Madhaura (Saran), Kavanpur Sugar Works Limited, Bara Chakia (East Champaran), Kavanpur Sugar Works Limited, Chanpatia (West Champaran), Shri Hanuman Sugar and Industries Limited, Motihari, Sasamusa Sugar Works Private Limited, Gopalganj (The Motihari and Sasamusa sugar mills are privately owned. Land acquisition is complete for these, while disputes continue for other mills.)

The Sugarcane Industry Department has completed the land acquisition for the Sakri and Rayam sugar mills in Darbhanga, while land and ownership disputes related to the other seven sugar mills are still being resolved. The Sakri sugar mill was closed in 1996, and the Rayam unit in 1993. The Madhaura sugar mill has been closed for 28 years.

The three mills of Kawanpur Sugar Works Limited, operating under the British India Corporation (BIC),—Madhaura, Bara Chakia, and Chanpatia—were major units in the state. The Madhaura sugar mill closed in 1997, while the Chakia and Chanpatia mills closed in 1994.

Sugarcane Industry Minister Sanjay Kumar said that, on the instructions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, efforts are underway to restart the closed sugar mills so that the sweetness of Bihar can return. Further action will be taken after receiving the report of the committee headed by the Chief Secretary.