Patna: The Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, has directed officials to expedite the revival of all closed sugar mills in the state, describing the move as central to boosting rural employment and strengthening the agricultural economy. The directive came during a high-level review meeting held at 1 Anne Marg in Patna on Friday under the “Prosperous Industry–Empowered Bihar” component of the 7 Nischay Part-3 programme.
Senior officials from the industries, information technology and sugarcane industries departments presented updates on the progress of the scheme. According to the sugarcane industries department, the Sasamusa sugar mill in Gopalganj district is expected to resume operations shortly, a development the chief minister welcomed while urging similar action for other defunct units.
Several sugar mills across districts including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and Darbhanga remain closed. CM Nitish said their early revival would directly benefit sugarcane farmers and generate local employment. He instructed officials to prepare a time-bound strategy to ensure that the remaining mills are reopened without further delay.
Emphasising the broader industrial roadmap, the chief minister said the “Prosperous Industry–Empowered Bihar” initiative must be implemented in an efficient and phased manner. He also called for steps to establish new sugar mills in the state, adding that Bihar must work with a clear action plan to position itself among the five most developed states in the country.
The meeting was attended by the principal secretary to the chief minister, the development commissioner and senior officials from the revenue, cooperative, industries, information technology and sugarcane departments.
