Bengaluru: As the uncertainty over the fate of State-run MySugar factory at Mandya continues, Industries Minister Murugesh R. Nirani said that the Chief Minister would take a decision on MySugar factory after convening a meeting of farmers and political representatives of Mandya district.

Replying to a question by JD(S) MLC Marithibbegowda in the Legislative Council yesterday, Nirani said that the meeting is likely to take place after the conclusion of the ongoing Legislature Session.

Referring to the farmers protest against MySugar privatisation moves, Nirani maintained that his family-owned Nirani Sugars would not participate in the bid to take control of the now shut decades old factory at Mandya.

Questioning the rationale to privatise Asia’s first Sugar Mill started in 1933 by the erstwhile Mysore rulers, another JD(S)MLC K.T. Srikantegowda said that MySugar has been ailing for the last two decades.

Pointing out that the Government has deputed 29 Managing Directors to run the factory, the MLC wanted to know what was the benefit of privatisation when the Factory that has modern machinery is ready to run.

Contending that the Co-generation Plant with a capacity of 28 MW had not even started working, he said that the total value of MySugar’s property is about Rs. 2,000 crore according to an estimate.

Recalling that the previous Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa had promised to set up a committee to look into the ways for running the factory under Government management, he said that the Committee is yet to be formed. The MLC also urged the Government to drop any privatisation plans and to start cane crushing at the earliest in the interests of farmers.