The sugar mill in Motihari. Picture by Ajit Kumar Verma

Motihari, Jan. 10: The reopening of Motihari sugar mill last Friday after a decade has rekindled the hopes of farmers in Champaran.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the unit, the sugar factory general manager Kulvansh Singh expressed his gratitude towards chief minister Nitish Kumar, sugar development minister Awadhesh Prasad Kushwaha, factory workers and farmers of the district.

He hoped that the unit would be able to crush up to 25,000 quintals of sugarcane daily. Singh told The Telegraph: “Apart from contributing to the strengthening of the rural economy of Champaran, we aim to make the district self-sufficient in the sector of power production.”

Local MLA Pramod Kumar, present on the occasion, said the sugar factory management should encourage the farmers by providing maximum facilities both for the workers and the farmers on the factory premises.

That could help turn sugarcane into a profitable industry.

Of the three sick sugar factories in East Champaran at Motihari, Chakia and Sugauli, operations were restored at the one at Motihari, which Hindustan Petroleum took over about a year ago.

The Sugauli sugar factory too is all set to start crushing sugarcane by the end of this month. The management of Chakia sugar factory is finding it difficult to resume operations without any financial assistance or bank loan.

On the other hand, of six sugar factories in West Champaran district — Majhaulia, Chanpatia, Lauriya, Bagaha, Ramnagar and Harinagar — only three are operating somehow.

According to a report, more than 100 employees of sick sugar units in both in East Champaran and West Champaran districts died of penury over the past few years.