(a) whether the Government are aware that the Sugar Technology Mission (STM) has deviating from its objective and are presently engaged in jobs outside its scope by recommending a certain project to install an equipment with huge project cost with loan from SDF at lower rate of interest;
(b) whether this has rendered injustice to the sugar factories who do not opt for projects recommended by the STM; and
(c) if so, the corrective steps taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI V. SREENIVASA PRASAD )
(a): The Sugar Technology Mission of Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council under Department of Science & Technology has not deviated from its objectives. It is assigned to broadly undertake the following tasks:-
i) Induct new clean, cost effective technologies in the sugar industry after trial and evaluation with an aim to improve plant efficiency, product quality and reduce energy costs including value addition to by-products.
ii) Prepare detailed schemes for technology upgradation of sugar mills through use of modern proven technologies to replace existing obsolete equipment and systems.
The cost of implementing technology upgradation schemes prepared by STM are comparable to cost of conventional schemes.
(b)&(c): Any sugar mill in the country which is eligible to avail loan from SDF can approach STM for preparation of suitable scheme for technological upgradation, if it so desires.