The ‘Revival panel’ backed by Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has won the elections to the board of directors of the Malaprabha Sugars Co-operative Society, officially known as Shri Malaprabha Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane (N), in Belagavi district of Karnataka. The Minister’s brother Channaraj Hattiholi, an MLC, is a member of the panel. All the 15 members, including Mr. Hattiholi, won the elections. The polling was held on September 28. The results were announced on September 29. Other important leaders who supported the panel were MLA Babasaheb Patil and BJP leader and MLA Vithal Halgekar. The Minister told reporters in Belagavi on September 29 that the aim of the panel is revival of the factory. “At one time, the Malaprabha sugar factory was the number one factory in Asia. The new management board will take the factory back to the top.” “Most of the sugar factories in the district are in debt. Malaprabha sugars has a debt of ₹220 crore. We will not only clear this, but also take up reform and revival. We will put in place a system to see that dues of all farmers are settled in 15 days. We will also protect the interests of employees,” she said. She hinted that Mr. Hattiholi could be elected president of the board. Mr. Hattiholi said farmers’ welfare would be their top priority. “I have experience in managing factories, and have been managing the factory for the last 6-7 years. We will try our best to revive it and clear all dues,” he said.