Sambalpur, June 2 (Agency) The Bargarh unit of Aam Admi Party (AAP) on Thursday opposed the sale of the profit making Bargarh Sugar Mill . In a memorandum to the government through the district Collector, AAP said since this a profit making mill and provides direct income to farmers, its sale will be detrimental to the interest of sugarcane farmers. Bhawani Prasad Sahu, a member of the party said the mill has the capacity to crush more than one lakh MT sugarcane in a season that directly benefit the farmers, its sale is nothing but an anti farmer activity. AAP submitted the memorandum after the government floated a notice for the sale of the mill.
AAP alleged that though the present cost of the sugar mill will be more than Rs 300 crore but the government wants to sale it at a throwaway price causing a huge loss to state exchequer. Earlier, the industry minister and departmental secretary, at different points of time were talking about renovating the mill and popularise sugarcane cultivation over traditional paddy as it consumes comparatively less water. “But what made them to think of its tital sale is a mystery now,” Sahu said. The AAP further demanded steps for reviving the mill and paying its employees their pending dues.