Sugar mills in Karnataka have asked the state government to stop diversion of sugarcane to the neighbouring Maharashtra. The South Indian Sugar Mills Association (SISMA), an apex body of sugar mills in the southern states, has asked chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to issue directions to deputy commissioners of the border districts like Belgaum, Bagalkot and Bijapur.
During 2008-09, sugar mills from Maharashtra lifted 1.5 million tonnes of cane from Karnataka. The mills are seeking a ban on diversion of cane after the recent decision of the Maharashtra government to stop diversion of cane to states across the border. In view of this, factories in the border districts like Belgaum, Bagalkot and Bijapur will suffer from the decision.
“Since Maharashtra has banned the movement of the their cane to Karnataka, it is apt for us to take a similar step and stop our cane going to Maharashtra,” Jagadeesh S Gudagunti, president, SISMA said.
In a letter to chief minister of Karnataka, he has urged the government to seal the border with Maharashtra to the movement of cane. Already, factories in Karnataka face a shortage of sugarcane to the extent of 40 per cent for 2008-09. A similar shortage is likely to continue for the next season, commencing October 2009.
“To increase utilisation of sugarcane and to improve crushing operations in the area of respective sugar factories in the state and to prevent the loss of revenue to Karnataka government by way of purchase tax, it is necessary to stop diversion of cane to Maharashtra,” Gudagunti stated.
SISMA has also requested the state government to issue another direction to sugar mills in North Karnataka to commence cane crushing next season from November 1, 2009, instead of October 1 to allow for complete growth of the cane. Many mills are resorting to early crushing which will result in the harvest of immature cane, and there’s a subsequent drop in the sugar recovery, he said.
Gudagunti said, Maharashtra government has already come to the rescue of sugar mills directing mills to start crushing from November 1. This will result in growth of the crop and a higher juice content in the cane.
“To enhance cane yield per hectare, sugar recovery and sugar production, some factories in the North Karnataka region have suggested we request the state government to issue a uniform direction to all the mills in this regard,” Gudagunti said.
He said he has asked the government to act against factories violating the directive in the interest of improving sugarcane production.
As far as crushing in southern Karnataka is concerned, five mills have commenced operations for the new sugar season. They are Sri Chamundeshwari Sugars Ltd, NSL Ltd, Coromandel Sugars Ltd (all in Mandya), Hemavathi Sahakara Sakkare Karkhane in Hassan, and Bannari Amman Sugars in Mysore district.
