Chhatrapati sugar factory chief vows: I will sell myself but not let it shut

The boiler lighting ceremony at Shri Chhatrapati Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana in Bhavaninagar, Pune district, was celebrated with much enthusiasm. Speaking on the occasion, factory chairman Prithviraj Jachak said firmly that the Chhatrapati factory would never be allowed to shut down for lack of funds. He said that if the need arose, he would sell himself, but would not let Chhatrapati close.

Jachak said last year's crushing season could only be completed with the support of the late deputy chief minister Ajit Dada and agriculture minister Dattatray Bharane. He said the factory is currently going through a difficult phase, but it will be brought out of this situation with everyone's cooperation. He appealed to shareholders to extend their support so that Chhatrapati does not lag behind other factories on sugarcane prices.

The boiler lighting ceremony for unit number one was performed by factory director Nilesh Tilekar and his wife Rashmi Tilekar, while the ceremony for unit number two was performed by director Santosh Masal and his wife Vaishali Masal. Factory vice-chairman Shivajirao Nimbalkar, along with serving and former directors and office-bearers, was present on the occasion.

Jachak further said he was happy that Chhatrapati was the first factory in Pune district to hold its boiler lighting ceremony this year. He said Chhatrapati is the first factory in the district to give an advance for sugarcane harvesting. The factory has set a target of crushing 1.25 million tonnes of sugarcane this season. He said that after eight consecutive years of crushing more than 1.2 million tonnes, the factory would come out of its difficulties completely. This year's sugarcane season has received support from deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar, agriculture minister Dattatray Bharane, MP Parth Pawar, as well as the chief minister and the cooperation minister.

Jachak said Chhatrapati's season will begin on October 1 and all arrangements at the factory are ready. He said that accounting for a shortfall of Rs 500 per tonne over the last ten years, the factory has suffered a loss of Rs 350 crore. He said it is everyone's responsibility to help pull Chhatrapati out of its troubles. He also said he has opposed a co-generation power project for several years, as it is not beneficial for sugar factories. Factories that installed this project went into losses, and not a single factory in Gujarat installs a co-generation power project.

He said sugar prices are currently rising, and this season too sugar prices will not come below Rs 50 a kilogram. Officials are making repeated trips to Mumbai and Delhi to secure funds for Chhatrapati. Jachak said that while there are difficulties at present, Chhatrapati will not shut down for lack of funds; if the time comes, Prithviraj Jachak will sell himself, but will not let Chhatrapati close now. The factory will also not lag behind on sugarcane prices. He appealed to shareholders to give their sugarcane only to Chhatrapati for crushing.

On the occasion, factory director Ramchandra Nimbalkar, along with Jairam Rayte, advocate Sambhajirao Kate, Balasaheb Shinde, Shankarrao Rupanwar and others, offered various suggestions in their speeches. At the start of the programme, executive director Ashok Jadhav reviewed this sugarcane season. The proceedings were conducted by labour leader Yuvraj Ranware, and the vote of thanks was proposed by director Tanaji Shinde. Also present on the occasion were directors Ashok Patil, Kailas Gawde, Satish Devkate, advocate Sharad Jamdar, Prithviraj Gholap, executive director Ashok Jadhav, general manager Hanumant Karwar, along with other dignitaries and shareholders.