Kamlapur: The Kamlapur Sugar and Industries Limited, located in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh is preparing to restart operations with a trial run after remaining closed for nearly 17 years. Ahead of the trial, the management has started purchasing sugarcane from farmers in the area allotted to the mill, Amar Ujala reported.
The factory had been shut since 2009, leaving sugarcane growers in the region with dues running into crores of rupees. A committee formed by District Magistrate Raja Ganapathi R will oversee the process of clearing the pending payments to farmers.
The mill was auctioned in 2017 and later purchased by NR Infracon Private Limited. After obtaining the required licence from the central government, the new management has been working to revive the unit.
District authorities have also allotted a cane purchase area to the mill. According to Madhavram, secretary of the cane development committee, the mill has been given 13 cane purchase centres, including seven in Jawaharpur, five in Ramgarh and one in Haidergarh.
Officials of the mill have begun buying sugarcane from farmers in these areas. General Manager Pradeep Salar said the factory is ready for the trial run and farmers can bring their cane directly to the mill gate. He added that the management will extend all possible support to growers.
Meanwhile, District Cane Officer Ratneshwar Tripathi said about 10,000 quintals of sugarcane will be required for the trial run. Farmers located within an eight-kilometre radius will be allowed to supply cane directly to the mill.
Local residents said the reopening of the mill has raised hopes among sugarcane farmers of getting better prices for their crop, while also creating employment opportunities in the area.
