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BJP alleges secret deal behind move on sugar mills
Reacting to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, State BJP president Bisan Singh Chufal has alleged that the Uttarakhand Government had entered into a “covert deal” with businessmen to run four sugar mills on PPP mode. “Under a covert deal, all these sugar mills have already been sold to some businessmen.
Such a move has created uncertainty over the future of thousands of workers employed there,” Chufal claimed. He also said that the BJP will not have any objection if the Government brings private investments in sectors like roads and other infrastructure facilities in the State.
“We will welcome the Government if our ropeways are developed on PPP mode,” said Chufal. Chufal commented when CM Bahuguna on Thursday said that he would hold talks with the Opposition with an “open mind” on the issue on Saturday evening, but flew to New Delhi without meeting BJP leaders. He also said that now their MLAs would not attend any function of the Chief Minister because he has breached the trust of BJP legislators.
The Bahuguna Cabinet on Tuesday had decided to adopt PPP mode for reviving four loss-making sugar mills, including Doiwala, Nadehi, Sitarganj and Kichha and close the Gadarpur sugar mill.
A group of BJP leaders led by Gadarpur MLA Arvind Pande had held dharna at the entrance of Chief Minister’s office building at State Secretariat to oppose the Cabinet’s decision.
In this regard, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had staged a day-long protest outside the Doiwala sugar mill on Friday.
Furious MLA Pandey also threatened that if the decision was not withdrawn, then he would sit on fast-unto-death. The BJP which was already facing crisis within the party has got a golden opportunity to show unity and motivate their party cadre as well.
“Bahuguna did not meet us despite a categorical assurance that he would hold talks with us on Saturday evening,” said Pande. He also threatened to launch a Statewide agitation on the issue.
The Chief Minister on Thursday strongly defended the Cabinet decision, saying the PPP was the best option before the Government for reviving the loss-making sugar mills. In this process CM Bahuguna had praised Gujarat and Bihar, where Government have brought FDI by giving lots of incentives. “As we know that the State has limited resources and we have to do several development projects. For this, we need investment so we have to create good environment for investors.”
“The Government cannot afford to bear the loss of `100-200 crore every year on these sugar mills. PPP is the best option before us to bring private investments. Under the PPP, sugar mills will remain under the Government’s control,” Bahuguna added. Bahuguna has made it clear that all the 600 workers of the Gadarpur sugar mill, a cooperative unit with heavy losses, will be rehabilitated in other sugar mills or will be given golden hand shake opportunity as well. The mill is being closed due to difficulty in procuring cane.
Reacting to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, State BJP president Bisan Singh Chufal has alleged that the Uttarakhand Government had entered into a “covert deal” with businessmen to run four sugar mills on PPP mode. “Under a covert deal, all these sugar mills have already been sold to some businessmen.
Such a move has created uncertainty over the future of thousands of workers employed there,” Chufal claimed. He also said that the BJP will not have any objection if the Government brings private investments in sectors like roads and other infrastructure facilities in the State.
“We will welcome the Government if our ropeways are developed on PPP mode,” said Chufal. Chufal commented when CM Bahuguna on Thursday said that he would hold talks with the Opposition with an “open mind” on the issue on Saturday evening, but flew to New Delhi without meeting BJP leaders. He also said that now their MLAs would not attend any function of the Chief Minister because he has breached the trust of BJP legislators.
The Bahuguna Cabinet on Tuesday had decided to adopt PPP mode for reviving four loss-making sugar mills, including Doiwala, Nadehi, Sitarganj and Kichha and close the Gadarpur sugar mill.
A group of BJP leaders led by Gadarpur MLA Arvind Pande had held dharna at the entrance of Chief Minister’s office building at State Secretariat to oppose the Cabinet’s decision.
In this regard, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had staged a day-long protest outside the Doiwala sugar mill on Friday.
Furious MLA Pandey also threatened that if the decision was not withdrawn, then he would sit on fast-unto-death. The BJP which was already facing crisis within the party has got a golden opportunity to show unity and motivate their party cadre as well.
“Bahuguna did not meet us despite a categorical assurance that he would hold talks with us on Saturday evening,” said Pande. He also threatened to launch a Statewide agitation on the issue.
The Chief Minister on Thursday strongly defended the Cabinet decision, saying the PPP was the best option before the Government for reviving the loss-making sugar mills. In this process CM Bahuguna had praised Gujarat and Bihar, where Government have brought FDI by giving lots of incentives. “As we know that the State has limited resources and we have to do several development projects. For this, we need investment so we have to create good environment for investors.”
“The Government cannot afford to bear the loss of `100-200 crore every year on these sugar mills. PPP is the best option before us to bring private investments. Under the PPP, sugar mills will remain under the Government’s control,” Bahuguna added. Bahuguna has made it clear that all the 600 workers of the Gadarpur sugar mill, a cooperative unit with heavy losses, will be rehabilitated in other sugar mills or will be given golden hand shake opportunity as well. The mill is being closed due to difficulty in procuring cane.
