dna exclusive: Narayan Rane holds Konkan's first sugar mill hostage

A proposal to set up the first sugar factory in the Konkan is in trouble, following an objection by the state industries minister who appears to be playing spoilsport.

Vijay Sawant, Congress member of the legislative council, has been pursuing the plan to set up a sugar factory at Kankavli in Sindhudurg district for a couple of years and most of the necessary clearances have been received.

But, now the state sugar commissioner has asked the Survey of India to measure the distance from the proposed factory site to the nearest sugar factory that is in operation at Gaganbawda in neighbouring Kolhapur district.

According to Sawant, the sugar commissioner asked for the distance check following a complaint by Narayan Rane, the state industries minister, who also hails from the region. “This is nothing but an ego issue. As this will be the first sugar factory in the Konkan, he (Rane) cannot digest my success,” Sawant said.

Under the Sugarcane Control Rules 1966, no sugar mill should be allowed to be set up within a distance of 25km from another sugar unit. This minimum distance was increased from 15km, a few years ago, to enable farmers in the area of the mills to get a better price for cane.

Sawant said that a measurement was already done some time back and the distance from the Kankavli site to the Dr DY Patil factory at Gaganbawda was found to be 25.2km.

“The people in Sindhudurg district are with me. People across all political parties have expressed their support for the project. Rane is the only person who is opposing it and putting obstacles by misusing the government machinery,” said Sawant.

This antagonism between Sawant and Rane dates back to over a decade, when Rane was with the Shiv Sena, and it appears to be continuing even after the leader crossed over to the Congress.

Rane could not be contacted for his comment.

“Rane was not even an applicant for setting up a sugar factory.

Earlier, he had provoked Dr DY Patil to complain on the distance issue. But I won the case in the high court. Now, he has asked the sugar commissioner to measure the distance again. This is delaying the project and will escalate the cost,” said Sawant.

“Because of such dirty politics the Konkan people are being deprived of development. This behaviour by the state industries minister is unfortunate,” Sawant said.

Vijay Singhal, state sugar commissioner, confirmed that his department had asked the Survey of India to measure the distance again. “I do not want to involve myself in the politics. I have respect for both of them. If the minister has complained, we have to look into it. There is nothing wrong in measuring the distance again. In the end the truth will prevail,” Singhal said.