Patna: The state govt has stepped up efforts to remove land-related hurdles affecting state’s sugar industry, with a special focus on expediting court cases involving sugar mills.The move is aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of existing mills and creating a conducive environment for industrial expansion, revenue and land reforms minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said after a high-level review meeting on Wednesday. Sugarcane industries minister Sanjay Paswan and senior officials from both departments attended the meeting.Jaiswal said the govt is conducting a comprehensive review of all pending court cases linked to sugar mills to ensure that legal disputes do not hamper their management and operations.The two ministers reviewed land disputes involving several mills on a case-by-case basis and directed officials to speed up departmental and legal proceedings. Special attention was given to cases concerning both govt and raiyati (private) land. Officials were asked to place all relevant revenue records, ownership details and factual information before the courts.Departments have been directed to prepare updated status reports on pending cases and ensure effective legal representation supported by necessary documents. The revenue and land reforms department and the sugarcane industries department will coordinate closely and conduct regular reviews.Land and asset issues related to Bara Chakia Sugar Mill in East Champaran came under detailed scrutiny. The case involves around 1,008 acres, including land belonging to the Bettiah Raj estate.Disputes involving M/s Hanuman Sugar and Industries Ltd in Motihari were also reviewed. The properties include 13 bighas, 6 kathas and 13 dhurs of freehold land, and 24 bighas, 15 kathas and 2 dhurs of Bettiah Raj leasehold land.The meeting also examined issues related to Sasamusa Sugar Mill in Gopalganj, which has 44 bighas, 8 kathas and 7 dhurs of owned land, apart from 21 bighas, 19 kathas and 9 dhurs held under a Mukarrari (fixed-rent) lease from Hathua Raj.Jaiswal directed officials to thoroughly verify the nature and ownership of disputed land, revenue records and facts presented before courts. He stressed that land disputes should not be allowed to impede sugar mill operations or industrial development.He also instructed officials to vigorously defend the govt’s interests in cases involving state land while ensuring that its position in raiyati land disputes is based strictly on records and facts.“Resolving land disputes through timely action and in accordance with facts and law remains a priority to give fresh momentum to Bihar’s sugar industry,” Jaiswal said.
