Minister's Surprise Visit to Malaprabha Co-op Sugar Factory Exposes Mismanagement

Farmer leader accuses some board members of diverting funds for personal gain

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Belagavi

ON Saturday evening, Sugar and Agriculture Marketing Minister Shivananad Patil made an unexpected visit to the Malaprabha co-operative sugar factory in Belagavi, following a series of complaints about its deteriorating financial health.

During the visit, a flood of allegations from both the workers and the management board were laid bare, shedding light on the alleged mismanagement that has led to the factory's financial downfall.

The Malaprabha sugar factory, once a profitable and pivotal enterprise for local farmers, now faces a grave crisis, allegedly stemming from widespread corruption within its management. Farmer leaders accuse certain board members of diverting funds for personal gain, rather than serving the interests of sugarcane farmers, which has pushed the factory into a crippling debt of several crores.

The farmers also revealed that they had not been paid for their sugarcane supply, further deepening their grievances.