Karnal cane growers protest over mill running below capacity

Karnal, November 24

Infuriated over not running the sugar mill to its full crushing capacity and allowing cane growers from other districts to sell their crop here, scores of farmers created ruckus in the Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mill on Wednesday.

They alleged Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had inaugurated the mill and at that time, it was claimed that its crushing capacity had increased to 3,500 tonnes crushed per day (TCD) from 2,200 TCD, which was of the old one that started working in 1977.

“At present, the mill is being run at the capacity of around 2,500 TCD, while it was claimed that it has been increased to 3,500 TCD,” said Satpal, a farmer.

Another farmer Rajpal said cane growers from other districts were being allowed to sell their produce in this mill, which was not good. “It takes 18-24 hours for a farmer in a mill to unload his tractor-trailer. We demand only the farmers attached with this mill should be allowed here. Also, the mill should start operating to its full capacity,” the farmers demanded.

Meanwhile, Aditi, MD, Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mill, said as power from the plant was not being exported, it was not running to its full capacity. “The work to erect 132-KV lines for power supply is under way. However, the work is delayed due to some Right of Way (RoW) rules. “We have already deposited the amount with the power corporation for the erection of lines,” she added.

The plant is running at the capacity of around 3,000 TCD, which would be increased gradually, she added.

On the issue of sugarcane from other districts being brought by farmers, she said, “We have issued a schedule to the area growers, who have further given it to their relatives and others. We have a computerised calendar system, through which a proper schedule is followed and farmers get indent as per it.” — TNS