Bundi: Ending a 22-year-long wait for farmers in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has announced that the Keshoraipatan Sugar Mill will be restarted under a public-private partnership model. The announcement was made during the state Budget session, Bhaskar reported.
The decision marks the end of a prolonged campaign led by local farmers demanding that the mill resume operations. Soon after the announcement, farmers gathered at the mill premises, raised slogans in support of unity, and burst firecrackers to mark the occasion.
Navin Shrungi of the Joint Farmers Coordination Committee said the move was the result of years of persistent efforts by growers in the region. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, farmer leader Naresh Meena, and all those who stood by the farmers during the prolonged struggle.
Senior farmer leader Dashrath Kumar led a large group of farmers to the mill compound shortly after the announcement. Participants described the development as a major victory for the farming community.
Young farmer leader Girraj Gautam said the success came after decades of united efforts that rose above political and caste differences. He noted that while one generation had established the mill, another had fought to save it, and it was now up to the younger generation to ensure it runs smoothly. He also thanked public representatives and supporters who contributed to the movement.
Gautam said a delegation of farmers would soon meet the Chief Minister to convey their appreciation. He added that efforts would be made to start the millтАЩs operations quickly so that farmers can plant sugarcane in the current season.
Emphasising the sacrifices made during the agitation, Gautam said the campaign had not been easy, and several people had lost their lives. He expressed hope that the revival of the mill would bring a sense of justice to those who had struggled for years.
Several other farmer leaders, including Harjinder Singh, Pushpchand Gurjar, Harishankar Nagar, Dinesh Gautam, Surajmal Nagar, Ramswaroop Pahad, Shyam Khatana, Dinesh Nagar, Purushottam Nagar, Nirmal Singh, Ramkunwar Meena, Nandveer Gurjar, Gabbar Yadav, and Budhram Chaudhary, also welcomed the announcement and shared in the celebrations.
