TN govt. to permit sugar mills under private sector

Chennai, Aug 03 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government would permit setting up of new sugar mills under private sector, wherever feasible, during this year, Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S Arumugam told the state assembly today.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said the government has received applications from private entrepreneurs to set up sugar mills at nine places and they would be given permission if they fulfill the conditions imposed by the government.

He said the private firms evinced interest in setting up the mills in Athur, Sankarapuram, Thirukovilur, Ariyalur, Erode, Ambasamudram, Gummidipoondi, Pattukottai and Modakuruchi with co-generation and ethanol production.

The government wanted them to set up a bio-technology research centre, tissue culture centre, grow new sugarcane variety and take up drip irrigation for sugarcane cultivation, he said adding if they agreed to the conditions, the government would give permission to set up the mills.

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