Maharashtra government has asked all private and co-operative sugar factories in the state to donate Rs10 lakh each in the chief minister drought relief fund. This money will be utilised to tackle drought in the Marathwada region.
The circular issued by the state co-operative and marketing department said it is mandatory for all sugar factories to pay the donation. The co-operative and private sugar mills will shell out Rs 10 lakh, state level co-operative institutions between Rs10-20 lakh, co-operative banks and non-agriculture and urban co-operative institutions will have to donate Rs10 lakh each in the chief minister drought relief fund.
There are more than 300 private and co-operative sugar factories in Maharashtra and most of them are located in the western Maharashtra. These sugar factories are controlled and owned by the politicians mainly from the Congress and the NCP.
"These said institutions have to pay the donations by Demand Draft in Mumbai. Besides, the donation, the sugar mills can also spend Rs15 lakh on Jalyukta Shivar and other drought relief work," stated by principle secretary, co-operative SS Sindhu in the circular.
The circular also spoke about the steps taken by the state government to help people in the drought-affected areas. "Around 33.5% discount for this year's electric bill of agriculture water pumps, waiving off the colleges and schools admission fees, supplying water tankers and realignment of the agriculture loan are some of the steps taken. Besides, the government has also warned to the local authority not to disconnect the electric supply of the farmers water pump if the drought-affected farmers are on defaulters list. Ahead of monsoon, the government has also asked the banks to give crop loans," stated the circular.
Babasaheb Patil, chairman of the Sahyadri co-operative Sugar mill, in Satara said that it is the need of the hour to extend help to the drought-affected people. "NCP chief Sharad Pawar had also appealed few days ago to all sugar factories to come out and help the crisis ridden farmers. Apart from donations, we are also sending our sugar factory machinery to develop the check dams in Marathwada and other regions. The government has taken the good initiative and we are ready to help at any time for the right cause," Patil said.
A senior NCP leader said that government can ask the sugar mills to contribute during the crisis but it should not blatantly say that they will shut down the sugar mills. "Maharashtra contributes almost 40% sugar in the total production of the country. If Maharashtra stops producing sugar, then sugar prices will go up not only in India but across the world. We can put emphasis on the drip or sprinkle irrigation," he said requesting anonymity.
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