Govt to take over sugar society in Pandavapura

The Government will soon take a decision on the modalities to restart the factory, which has remained defunct since 2003.

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, in a meeting with farmers and people’s representatives of Mandya district on Friday, directed Mandya Deputy Commissioner M K Aiyappa to take steps to take over the factory and deploy police to protect the properties belonging to the factory.

Yeddyurappa said, the factory was handed over to Chennai-based Kothari Sugar and Chemicals Ltd in 2005-06 for a period of seven years against a lease amount of Rs 80.10 crore. The company abruptly terminated the lease agreement in April this year. The company had to clear its dues and the matter had been pending in court.

The CM said he would not wish to hand over the factory to a co-operative society. The Government would take over the administration and ensure that the crushing of sugarcane begins at the earliest. “The Government will take a decision on how to restart the factory for the benefit of farmers and workers of the factory within a month’s time,” the CM said. He also added that the Government would take necessary measures to recover the dues from the company.