BANGALORE: Sugar and Rural Water Supply Minister S.A. Ravindranath said on Saturday that the Government was thinking of introducing drip irrigation for growing sugarcane, which was a water-intensive crop.

Addressing presspersons here, he said drip irrigation for sugarcane had been introduced in Maharashtra, and it was a success. More farmers were utilising the system in that State and contributing to efforts to save water, he added.

The Minister said the Cabinet had decided to hand over three cooperative sugar factories to the private sector — Bhadra Sugars, Brahmawar Sugar Factory and the Sri Rama Cooperative Sugar Factory, Chunchanakatte. The crushing capacity of the factory at Harihar would be increased to 2,500 tonnes from 1,250 tonnes, he added.

He said Bhadra Sugars and Sri Rama Cooperative Sugar factory had liabilities of Rs. 33 crore and Rs. 32 crore, respectively. Global tenders for privatisation of the units were yet to be called. Private entrepreneurs selected would be asked to retain employees at their current wages and clear arrears to farmers. The Pandavapura Cooperative Sugar Factory, given to Kothari Sugars on seven years' lease, had started crushing operations, he added.

Mr. Ravindranath said permission had been given to Chennai-based Chamundeswari Sugars to set up a factory at Holenarasipura. The factory, which would have a capacity of 5,000 tonnes, would have co-generation facility.

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