Farmers’ body opposes transfer of Kovur Sugar factory’s 124-acre land to APIIC
Sugarcane farmers in Nellore oppose CM Naidu’s plan to transfer Kovur Sugar Factory’s land to APIIC for industries. Closed for 13 years, the factory supported 10,000 people. Farmers demand its revival, accusing leaders of election-time promises and asset liquidation. A conference on April 24 will discuss action plans, with key farmer association leaders set to attend.
As Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently directed the SPSR Nellore district administration to transfer the Kovur Cooperative Sugar factory’s 124-acre land to the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for establishing new industries, the members of Sugarcane Farmers’ Association (SFA) opposed the government’s plan to give the factory lands to private industries.
The factory has contributed significantly to the economic growth of farmers in 15 mandals under Kovur, Kavali and Nellore Rural constituencies. The factory has been closed for the past 13 years due to severe financial crisis. Since its closure, the SFA Nellore district leaders have been demanding for the reopening of the factory, however, in vain.
“For the past two decades, the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties had promised during every election that they will reopen the factory if they come to power. After elections, they tried to sell 124 acres of the factory land, which was very valuable, at a cheaper price. We had brought court orders to stop those efforts,” said SFA Nellore district president Billa Raghuramaiah.
“YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised to reopen the factory during the 2019 elections, but he did not implement it after coming to power. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu also assured to reopen the factory in the 2024 elections. However, he announced that the factory would be handed over to the APIIC as it was not feasible to implement it,” he added.
SFA Nellore district secretary Gandavarapu Srinivasulu said, “Already several acres of land in the industrial areas has been lying vacant in the district. If the factory land also goes to the APIIC, it will benefit the private players and not the local farmers. The government is willing to support the wealthy investors by offering lands at low price, but not ready to help the poor farmers in the State.”
“Apart from the workers, nearly 10,000 people are dependent on this factory, either directly or indirectly. About 3,600 sugarcane farmers in the district have shifted to growing paddy. They have been eagerly waiting for the revival of the factory for the past 13 years. The factory is located in a strategic location with all necessary resources. The government is trying to liquidate its assets for the benefit of industrialists,” he alleged.
The SFA leaders have requested all the shareholders, farmers and others who want redevelopment to participate in the conference to be held at the sugar factory premises on April 24 to discuss an action plan. All India Sugarcane Farmers Association general secretary Ravindran, A.P. Sugarcane Farmers Association secretary Suryanarayana and district leaders will also attend this meeting.
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source : The Hindu
