Karnal sugar mill renovation hangs fire, farmers to start indefinite stir

KARNA L: With just four months left for the sugarcane crushing season that begins in November, the government has failed to start renovation work on the Karnal sugar mill, prompting farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Haryana) to announce an indefinite protest from Wednesday.

The crushing goes on until April. After repeated farmer protests, chief minister Man oh ar L al K hat tar and state cooperation minister Mani sh Gr over had last year announced that the sugar mill will be renovated and its crushing capacity will be increased from 22,000 quintals to 30,000 quintals keeping in mind the increase in the sugarcane crop acreage in the Karnal region.

They will face problem selling their produce if the mill is not renovated and its capacity increased. The farmers, however, said nothing has been done on the ground even as 10 months have elapsed since. On October 3 last year when Man is h Grover, who was in Karnal to attend a function at the cooperative sugar mill, had said the mill’s capacity will be enhanced. HTC