Punjab Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa today started the trial run of 15 MW power plant at Bhogpur Sugar Mill by performing first boiler firing ceremony.The Minister who visited 62-years old Bhogpur Sugar Mill here today inspected the ongoing work of the expansion of this prestigious mill with capacity of 1016 Tons of cane crushing per day (TCD). He said that the state government was spending Rs 108 crore on this ambitious project that would enhance the capacity of this plant to 3000 TCD adding that this plant would be operational for crushing season 2019-2020. Mr Randhawa said that along with the expansion and modernisation a cogeneration plant has been set up which would produce 15 Mega Watt of power out of which 8.54 MW would be exported to PSPCL.The Minister said that the mill would generate a revenue of Rs 25 crore every crushing season by exporting the power. He said that mill caters to the need of cane cultivators who produce sugarcane in 12772 hectare land of the region.Mr Randhawa said that the mill was spread over 109 acre of area out of which expansion work was going on 25 acres of land.The Minister said that the agency trusted with the work of expansion of this mill would oversee its Operation and Maintenance for one year.
He said that the state government was fully committed for commissioning this renovated plant in full capacity by February next year.Mr Randhawa also asked the officers and representatives executing agency to come to Chandigarh on Monday to resolve the pending issues, if any.The Minister categorically said that no cooperative sugar mill in the state would be closed and rather every effort would be made to ensure their revival.He said that strengthening cooperative department was need of hour to bail out farmers facing acute agrarian crisis. Mr Randhawa also said that to facilitate the farmers online system would be introduced under which farmers would be issued e-slips to farmers coming for crushing .Meanwhile, the minister also launched 'Fateh Sugar' product in various varieties during the visit. The Minister was accompanied by former Punjab Minister Mr Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Tanda MLA Mr Sangat Singh Gilzian, Sugarfed MD Mr Devinder Singh, Joint Registerar Co-operative Society Mr Bhupinder Singh Walia, Deputy Registrar Mr Sukha Singh, Congress Leaders Mr Sukhwinder Singh Lalli, Mr Satvir Singh Palli Jhikki, Mr Ashwan Bhalla and others.