Orange growers approach president over shifting of processing plant

Orange growers from Vidarbha region have sought the intervention of president Pratibha Patil over a reported move to shift a proposed orange processing plant from her hometown Amravati to Nanded.
    
The proposed plant was to be set up by a Switzerland based company in Nandgaon Peth in industrial zone of Amravati.
    
After completing preliminary survey and series of meetings with orange growers, industry and technical experts and authorities from Punjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture University the company had found that a 500-tonne capacity plant could be set up in the area, former NCP MLA Sunil Shinde said.
    
"The company had virtually entered into an agreement with orange growers for supply of produce. Last February, Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar also promised to extend all possible help in setting up the plant," Shinde told PTI.
    
Accordingly a detailed proposal was sent to Maharashtra government for processing. But now it is not showing any interest in setting up plant at Nandgaon Peth, he said.
    
When they learnt of the state government's proposed decision to shift the proposed plant from Amravati to Nanded, orange growers from Nagpur, Wardha and Amravati drew the attention of the office of president towards the reported move, Shinde, himself an orange grower, said.
    
We sent a memorandum to president Pratibha Patil, seeking her intervention. She has sought a detailed report from State government over the status of project, he said.     

Besides, the farmers also met Devisingh Shekhawat, husband of Pratibha Patil, at his Amravati residence last month over the issue, Shinde, who led the farmers, said.
    
Shekhawat showed keen interest in the project and expressed his surprise over reported shifting of the proposal, he said.
    
Shekhawat could not be reached for his comments.
    
The issue is likely to figure during the winter session of the State Legislature commencing in Nagpur from December 8, sources said.