Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mill inauguration
SHAHABAD, KURUKSHETRA: India’s cooperation sector is set for major expansion as Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has set a national target to establish 150 new sugar mills in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Developed India by 2047, said Haryana Cooperation, Jails, Elections, Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma. He said that work has already begun to set up a cooperative sugar mill in Naraingarh, marking the state’s contribution to this national initiative.Addressing the inaugural ceremonies of the 50th crushing season of the Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mill and the 42nd crushing season of the Shahabad Cooperative Sugar Mill through online mode, Minister Sharma highlighted that Haryana has taken significant steps to support sugarcane farmers. He said chief minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced the highest sugarcane procurement price in the country—Rs 415 per quintal for early varieties and Rs 408 per quintal for late varieties. Sharma said he would soon meet the chief minister along with public representatives to request special incentive schemes for sugarcane farmers.The events were attended by cabinet minister Krishna Kumar Bedi, MP Naveen Jindal, MLA Ramkaran Kala in Shahabad, and Chief Whip and Indri MLA Ramkumar Kashyap, along with Sugar Federation MD Shakti Singh and farmers in Karnal. Sharma emphasised that the cooperative sector will play a crucial role in fulfilling the nation’s development goals. He noted that the Haryana government has ensured timely payment to farmers and introduced an online token system, which has helped farmers save 10–12 hours in transporting cane to the mills.Thanks to last year’s efforts to reconnect former cane growers with the mills, Karnal Mill is expected to crush 3.9 lakh quintals more cane, while Shahabad Mill will receive an additional 2 lakh quintals this season. Both mills continue to win national awards and are progressing with the collective hard work of farmers and staff.Sharma said he would urge the CM to provide subsidised harvesting machinery to ease farmers’ workload and launch new incentive schemes to encourage continuous cane cultivation. He directed mill managements to prioritise farmers’ welfare, “win their hearts,” and ensure they face no difficulties.Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Dr Sharma said that both the Centre and the Haryana government are dedicated to strengthening farmers’ interests. He conveyed CM Saini’s greetings to the farmers and management teams on the commencement of the crushing season.Senior officials, including Shahabad Mill MD Pradeep Ahlawat and Karnal Mill MD Aditi, were also present on the occasion.
