Delta Sugars Limited (DSL), near Hanuman Junction in Krishna district, is all set to down the shutters from the coming cane crushing season that begins in early December, leaving above 2,000 farmers and 350 workers to their fate.
The factory management has announced last week that it had decided to shut the factory, owing to above ₹120 crores of loss in the present fiscal, according to Delta Sugars Limited Plant Manager M. Rajababu.
Harvesting of the sugarcane in above 5,500 acres in Nuzvid and Gannavaram Assembly constituencies in Krishna district and Denduluru Assembly constituencies in West Godavari district would now be hit.
A four-member farmers’ team led by K. Suryanarayana of Remalle village in Bapulapadu mandal was told by DSL chief executive officer M. Subba Raju that a decision had been taken to close down the company from the coming crushing season. However, the farmers were promised of alternative measures to ensure harvesting of the standing crop.
“The farmers have all set for the crushing season, including arranging the bullock-carts for transportation of the sugarcane. The decision will disturb our crop plans, family budget and other financial plans,” Mr. Suryanarayana told The Hindu .
In 1983, the farmers established Hanuman Sugar Co-operative Mill under the co-operative system.
In 2001, the State government sold the mill with above 100 acres of land and sugar factory machinery to the Delta Sugars Limited for ₹11.8 crore.
Land issue
“The State government is watching without coming to the rescue of farmers and workers to be affected by the DSL’s decision. It appears that the company management is exploring commercial plans on the factory site,” AP Sugarcane Farmers’ Association State secretary M. Haribabu said.
On the other hand, the farmers are planning to meet Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu against the closure.
Standing crop
“Talks are being held with the KCP Sugars to get the sugarcane crushed at Challapalli or Vuyyuru factories to avoid any loss to farmers,” DSL Plant Manager Mr. Rajababu told The Hindu .
