21 cooperative sugar factories are inoperative, while 19 have been revived through lease, partnership, or joint venture basis in Maharashtra, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Nimuben Bambhaniya informed the Lok Sabha.
In a reply to a unstarred question regarding cooperative sugar factories facing difficulties in Maharashtra, and the government support provided over the last three years, she stated: “As per the inputs provided by the Government of Maharashtra, 21 cooperative sugar factories are inoperative and 19 cooperative sugar factories have been revived by way of lease/Partnership/Joint venture basis.”
She further informed the Lok Sabha that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has given financial assistance to 33 cooperative sugar factories. This financial support, amounting to over Rs. 4,355.12 crore, has benefited mills located across districts such as Solapur, Pune, Satara, Jalgaon, Beed, Latur, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, and Sangli.
The details NCDC financial assistance
| Name of District | Total No. of Sugar Mills | Total Rs. in Crore |
|---|---|---|
| Solapur | 5 | 821.47 |
| Dharashiv | 1 | 94.00 |
| Pune | 2 | 225.00 |
| Satara | 3 | 506.00 |
| Jalgaon | 1 | 34.74 |
| Beed | 2 | 177.76 |
| Latur | 3 | 181.97 |
| Ahilyangar | 8 | 1,004.70 |
| Kolhapur | 6 | 1,095.98 |
| Sangli | 2 | 213.90 |
| Total | 33 | 4,355.12 |
Additionally, the MSC Bank has given financial Assistance on Government guarantee to the 5 cooperative sugar factories located in Solapur, Beed, Pune, and Nanded.
The details are as follows:
| Name of District | Total No. of Mills | Total Rs. in Crore |
|---|---|---|
| Solapur | 2 | 204.31 |
| Beed | 1 | 150.00 |
| Pune | 1 | 128.00 |
| Nanded | 1 | 147.69 |
| Total | 5 | 630.10 |
The Minister also noted that four sugar factories in the northeastern region, three in Assam and one in Nagaland, are currently non-operational. The shortage of functional sugar factories in the region is primarily attributed to unfavorable climatic and geographical conditions for sugarcane cultivation.
She further informed that in the ongoing 2024–25 sugar season, a total of 534 sugar factories are operational across the country, of which 199 are cooperative factories.
