Govt plans to convert Brahmavar Sugar Factory into Horticultural university comes under fire

Govt plans to convert Brahmavar Sugar Factory into Horticultural university comes under fire

Mangalore Today News Network

 Udupi, Aug 17, 2013: Former Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat is opposed to the  State government plans to convert the Brahmavar Sugar Factory into a horticultural university. It may be recalled here that Udupi district in-charge minister Vinaykumar Sorake during his Independence Day  address had hinted at the government plans in this regard.

Speaking to reporters here on August 16, Friday, Raghupathi  Bhat said  the government ought to consult farmers of the area and take them into confidence before going ahead with this project. He also pointed out that the land around the factory belonged to farmers and not to the  government.

He said  the erstwhile BJP government had aspired to revive the defunct factory as it would be a boon to sugarcane growers who are around 5000 in number in the area. The previous government’s efforts to revive the factory were in vain, he said. He also came down heavily on the Congress  for going back on its promise to revive the factory.

He said though the BJP welcomed the decision to set up a horticultural factory the same should not be set up in the Brahmavar Sugar Factory area, he said.

Raghupathi Bhat further added that it would be ideal to locate the university at Kolalagiri where  350 acres of land had been identified for an agricultural college last year.