Daijiworld News Network- Udupi/Brahmavar (AF)
                                                  
Udupi, May 13: The Brahmavar Cooperative Sugar Factory, which was closed down two years ago needs Rs 60 crore for its rejuvenation, said Brahmavar MLA Jayaprakash Hegde while speaking to press persons here on Thursday May 11.

He said that the amount was inclusive of the cost of upgrading the factory, which would come up to Rs 25 crore and repayment of loans to cooperative societies, farmers' dues and salaries of employees which would cost Rs 15 crore.

He informed that the factory crushed 1.25 lac tonnes of sugarcane before its closure, but now about five lac tonnes would need to be crushed if the factory has to come into reckoning again. Since the factory was closed down, cultivation of sugarcane in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts was badly affected, and hence such a large quantity of sugarcane was not available, he said.

He suggested selling a portion of the factory land to pay the farmers their dues and salaries of the employees. The factory could also be given to private sector or a co-generation plant could be set up which would cost around Rs 20 crore, he said.