Panaji: Goa’s lone sugar factory has not been operational while attempts to redevelop it by turning it into ethanol manufacturing plant has also not received any response, state Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik told the House.
In a written reply tabled on the House on Friday, Naik told the House that presently, Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., (SSSKL), which is a state run enterprise, is not in operation.
The plant was inaugurated by Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar at Dharbandora village in South Goa to promote cultivation of sugarcane in the surrounding areas.
Naik said that there is no elected Board of Director in Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.. “Hence, State Government has appointed
Administrator to look after the affairs of the Society,” he said.
The minister said Redevelopment of Sanjivani SahakariSakhar Karkhana Ltd. including manufacture of ethanol on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode is under consideration.
“Request for Qualification (RFQ) application was invited (2nd call)
through Government of Goa e-procurement system for shortlisting of competent/ qualified Bidder for redevelopment of Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. including manufacture of ethanol on PPP
mode as per revised RFQ documents prepared by Department of Public Private Partnership. Tender documents were opened on June 18, 2024 and found that no bidders have submitted bid.
He said that at present there are 91 numbers of permanent employees, 78 numbers of Contract employees and 01 number of daily wages employee working in the Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.
The minister said that all the employees have been paid their salaries regularly till April, 2024 from the funds/grants released by Government.
The release of funds/ grants for payment of salary there after is in process.
Naik said that the state government has provided financial assistance to farmers due to non operation of Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana
Ltd.
“ For the sugarcane harvested during crushing season 2019-20,Sanjivani
Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. has paid Rs.1200/- per MT to the farmers. In addition to that, Government has provided Rs.1800/- per MT of sugarcane as assured price and Rs.600/- per MT as harvesting
charges,” he said.
The minister said that the Government has provided Rs.3600/- per
MT to sugarcane farmers whose sugarcane remained unharvested during crushing season 2019-20 after closer of crushing season.
