Shailesh Patil’s plans to turn the co-operative around include getting outsiders to process the molasses and make spirits and generate electricity as a by-product. “We need to invest around Rs 7 crore for modernisation and turning this around,” said Manikrao. “Shailesh walked in after the factory had become very messy. He helps in getting the bureaucratic hurdles cleared by meeting the relevant officials in all the government departments like the commissioners and also takes the matter to the CM’s office when the situation demands.”

Shailesh visits Latur at least once a month while his wife also visits frequently. A family member, who did not want to speak on record, said the factory’s crisis “is the baggage of the last 10 years and it will take some time to overcome its problems. Shailesh is now guiding the management in its efforts. A sugar factory was a dream of Shivraj Patil even before his legislative days.”

“The board had even offered Shailesh the chairmanship but he declined it and chose to look into the matters without holding any post. He is the backbone of the factory and is very much involved in it. We are associated with the factory since the beginning and even though we are not in it officially, is it not our baby?” the relative asked.

Certainly, but the baby could have been raised and cared better, industry experts said. Raj Gopal Deora, Maharashtra’s Commissioner for Sugar, said that although the entire sugar sector had suffered in recent years, co-operatives that managed their finances well weathered the storm.

... contd.