During the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly’s budget session on Thursday, BJP MLA Bhawana Bohra raised a significant concern regarding the financial crisis at the government-supported Louh Purush Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cooperative Sugar Factory in Pandariya, Kabirdham district, reported The Free Press Journal.
The factory’s financial instability has become a growing worry, particularly for the sugarcane farmers who depend on its functioning.
MLA Bohra brought a call attention motion before the assembly, specifically highlighting this issue. Her motion emphasized two main demands: the immediate payment of pending dues to the sugarcane farmers who supply the factory, and the provision of necessary financial assistance to support the struggling factory. The motion stressed the urgent need for action to ease the financial burden on both the farmers and the factory.
In response to the concerns raised by Bohra and the BJP’s subsequent demands, Cooperative Minister Kedar Kashyap addressed the assembly. He openly acknowledged that financial mismanagement had been an ongoing issue at the Louh Purush Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cooperative Sugar Factory since its inception and operational launch in 2016-2017. He conceded that these issues had built up over time, leading to the current crisis.
In direct response to the BJP’s demands, Minister Kashyap announced that a dedicated committee from the Cooperative Department would be formed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the sugar factory’s financial situation. This assessment would include a thorough review of the factory’s assets, liabilities, and overall economic health. Additionally, Minister Kashyap assured the House that the state government recognizes the factory’s significance and will provide the necessary support to ensure its continued operation, with the aim of stabilizing the factory and protecting the livelihoods of the farmers dependent on it.
