Karnal: The Karnal Co-operative Sugar Mill has received the second prize for technical efficiency at the state-level celebration of the 72nd All-India Cooperative Week, which began on Friday in Murthal, Sonepat. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Cooperative Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma presented the award to Aditi, the managing director of the mill, and praised her leadership and the steady performance of the mill’s management, reports The Tribune.
The mill has recorded significant growth since completing a major expansion under MD Aditi’s supervision in 2021. After the upgrade, it went on to win the national first prize for technical efficiency for three consecutive years, earning recognition for the state’s cooperative sector.
Established in 1976 on 116 acres, the mill began operations in the 1976–77 crushing season with an initial capacity of 1,250 TCD. As sugarcane production increased in the region, the government expanded the capacity to 2,200 TCD in 1991–92. However, limited crushing capacity continued to trouble farmers, who often had to send their cane to faraway mills.
To address the long-standing demand of sugarcane growers, former Chief Minister and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a major expansion under the Chief Minister Swarna Jayanti Scheme in 2019. This led to the commissioning of a modern 3,500 TCD refined sugar plant and an 18 MW co-generation power unit in 2021. The power plant has enabled the mill to sell surplus electricity, creating a substantial additional source of revenue.
