Maharashtra Sugar Mills Receive Centre’s Aid Amidst Challenges

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar informed media in Pune that the Central government was always prepared to assist struggling sugar mills in resuming their crushing operations.

Pawar stated that it was the responsibility of the sugar mill director board or administrators to formulate proposals outlining their plans and present them to the government.

Highlighting Shah's interest, the deputy Chief minister emphasized that Amit Shah was determined to ensure that every sugar mill in Maharashtra was engaged in ethanol production.

Shah had previously conveyed during a speech in Pune that substantial funding was accessible through diverse schemes for cooperative societies to establish distilleries. He encouraged sugar mills in the state to capitalize on this loan facility.

Pawar expressed the State government's eagerness for all sugar mills to incorporate ethanol production capabilities. With Shah's direct support, Pawar anticipated positive strides in this direction for mills in the state. He also noted that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was prepared to assist sugar mills in their endeavours.

Numerous cooperative sugar mills within the state have approached the NCDC, seeking assistance to revive their operations. This includes individuals who were formerly associated with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) but have since joined the BJP.

In response, the State government has offered assurances of guaranteeing the loan proposals put forth by these mills.

Ethanol Loans

Under the 'scheme for boosting ethanol production in sugar mills', the government offers soft loans via banks to establish new distilleries, expand existing ones, and implement eco-friendly measures. These include adopting approved methods like incineration boilers for Zero Liquid Discharge, with interest subsidies. The government has now prolonged the loan disbursement deadline until September 30 for schemes introduced between 2018 and 2021.