Solapur: The Maharashtra government has granted permission for sugar factories to start the crushing season from November 15. However, in Solapur district, till date where 20 out of 33 sugar factories have received licenses, the season is expected to pick up pace only after the assembly elections conclude, reported Agrowan.
Six sugar factory chairmen are in the fray as several other officials and directors of other factories are on a campaign, leaving only a few staff at most of these factories to attend to actual operations. The season was expected to get underway in earnest only after November 23, once the voting is over.
Currently, some factories have begun lighting their boilers, while others are still preparing. Adding to the delays is the fact that only 50% of the required labour for sugarcane cutting and transport has been reported for work.
