Bengaluru: North Karnataka’s sugar factories will begin their sugarcane crushing operations from November 15th, as decided in a meeting chaired by Sugar Minister Shivananda Patil on Thursday. The South India Sugar Mills Association (SISMA) raised concerns about neighbouring Maharashtra’s potential early start, which could lead to a sugarcane shortage in Karnataka’s border districts, reports The Hindu.
The concern arises from the potential shortage of cane for factories in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and other neighbouring districts if Karnataka growers supply cane to Maharashtra units. Minister assured SISMA that he would write to the Maharashtra government requesting to issue an order to start crushing operations after November 15 in that State.
Further, it has urged for relaxation in rules specifying sugar packaging in jute bags. SISMA explained that the stipulation of the DFPD to pack 20% of the total sugar production in jute bags would affect sugar quality.
On the issue of mandatory jute packaging, Minister Patil assured to write to the Centre and to try to resolve the problem raised by mill owners. The meeting was attended by various sugar factory owners.
