Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will form a task force for renovation and modernisation of sugar mill at Aska in Ganjam district.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a direction in this regard at a high-level review meeting on revival of Aska sugar mill. Senior officers of agriculture, finance, cooperative, excise and water resources departments will be the members of the task force.
Stating that Aska sugar mill was one of the oldest sugar mills in the state, the chief minister said, “A large number of sugarcane farmers of Ganjam depend on this mill. It has been an economic nerve centre of the area. Hence it is necessary to take all possible steps for its revival.”
The task force would visit the sugar mills in Maharashtra and other states to study the infrastructure and management. On the basis of the report submitted by the task force, the government would take steps for revival of the Aska mill, he added.
It may be noted that Aska Cooperative Sugar Mill was established in 1956. Sugar production had started from the mill in 1963. Later, its production capacity had also been increased. Since the mill has been sustaining loss over the years, the government is planning for its revival.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singhdeo, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Cooperative Minister Pradip Bal, Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, several Aska MLA Saroj Kumar Padhi, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and Ganjam collector attended the meeting.
