Karnataka: Minister Khandre Urges Action on Sugar Factories Pending Dues
Bidar Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre has urged immediate action to resolve unpaid dues owed to sugarcane farmers by local factories. In a review meeting of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, Khandre noted that while three of five sugar factories have cleared dues, Bidar Kissan Shakkar Karkhana Ltd and Bhalkeshwar Sugar Factory still owe Rs 3.40 crore and Rs 3.18 crore, respectively. Khandre instructed officials to seize and auction sugar stocks if necessary. He also emphasized the need to accelerate infrastructure projects and address flooding issues affecting farmlands.
Bidar: Forest, Environment, and Ecology Minister and Bidar District In-Charge, Eshwar B Khandre directed the officials to take immediate action to resolve the outstanding dues owed to farmers by local sugar factories.
Chairing a progress review meeting of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday evening, Minister Khandre highlighted the need to address the financial distress faced by sugarcane farmers.
He said that out of the five sugar factories currently operating in the district, three have paid the outstanding dues to farmers. However, Bidar Kissan Shakkar Karkhana Ltd in Mogadhal still owes Rs 3.40 crore, and Bhalkeshwar Sugar Factory in Bhalki has pending dues of Rs 3.18 crore to the farmers. Khandre instructed officials to seize sugar stocks from these factories and auction them if necessary, to ensure that farmers are paid without further delay.
The minister stressed the immediate need to complete ongoing infrastructure projects in the district, funded by the KKRDB. He called on the Public Works Department, Panchayat Raj Engineering Department, and KRIDL to speed up these projects and instructed officials to prioritize repairs on bridges and roads damaged by the recent heavy rains.
Khandre also addressed the flooding of farmlands near the Manjra and Nandini rivers, which has led to significant crop losses. He directed officials from the Revenue and Agriculture Departments to submit damage reports promptly and ensure that affected farmers receive compensation.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including DC Shilpa Sharma, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. Girish Dilip Badole and others.