21 sugar mills to resume operations in Karnataka

As many as 21 sugar mills, which had suspended cane crushing over the last four years owing to drought, will resume operations this year following bumper cane crop.

The sugar mills belong to the state government, cooperative societies and the private sector.

Karnataka's rural water supply and sugar minister S A Ravindranath told reporters here on Monday that the government had received applications from the 21 sugar mills seeking permission to resume operations.

There are 40 sugar mills in the state, which stands fourth in the nation in terms of sugar production. The government had banned sugarcane cultivation in the Cauvery basin and some parts of Krishna basin in 2004 due to reduced water storage in reservoirs.

"All these bans have been revoked. Farmers are now free to grow sugarcane as all reservoirs are full. Last year, the state had produced 1.70 lakh metric tonnes of sugar. This year, it is expected to reach 2.20 lakh metric tonne," the minister said.

Despite heavy rains, drought symptoms were prevalent in as many as 157 taluks in the state.

"However, we expect the situation to improve in view of copious rains. At present, no village is experiencing drinking water problem. In the last three months, the government has spent Rs 139 crore to provide water to districts, which do not have dedicated supply from reservoirs," Ravindranath stated.