Mumbai: Among the nine cooperative sugar factories for which the state has sought loans worth Rs 1,104.6 crore is Sadashivrao Mandlik Cooperative Sugar Factory in Kolhapur’s Kagal taluka which is linked to former MP Sanjay Mandlik from the Shiv Sena. State has backed an NCDC loan of Rs 139 crore for this factory.
The Chhatrapati Rajaram Cooperative Sugar Factory in Kolhapur’s Karveer taluka was also picked for a loan of Rs 165 crore. It is linked to BJP MLA Amal Mahadik, cousin to MP Dhananjay Mahadik.
The state has also recommended a loan of Rs 153.4 crore to the Kumbhi Kasari Cooperative Sugar Factory in Kolhapur’s Karveer taluka, which is linked to Shiv Sena MLA Chandradeep Narke, and Rs 114 crore for the Sahakar Maharishi Shankarrao Kolhe Cooperative Sugar Factory in Ahmednagar. The factory is linked to BJP leader Vivek Kolhe. The Shri Ganesh Cooperative Sugar Factory in Ahmednagar has been recommended for a loan of Rs 74 crore. This is linked to Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and BJP’s Kolhe.
Besides, the Vasantrao Desai Ajara Cooperative Sugar Factory in Kolhapur has been recommended for a loan of Rs 122.7 crore. This is linked to supporters of NCP leader and medical education minister Hasan Mushrif. The Sant Shiromani Maruti Maharaj Cooperative Sugar Factory in Latur has been recommended for an NCDC loan of Rs 109 crore.
Cooperative Sugar Factories are closely linked to the rural economy and a network of farmers, a reason why they are politically significant. However, the state faces a staggering debt of over Rs 7.8 lakh crore owing to sops announced in the pre-poll budget. Indeed, in the run-up to the polls, the state finance department said the state’s fiscal deficit was around Rs 2 lakh crore and would not be possible to fill. — Priyanka Kakodkar