Bikramganj (Rohtas). The sugar mill of Bikramganj was established by a Kolkata businessman with the help of Dumraon Raj. This mill was opened in 1905 and was closed in the 1950s. The entire complex of the sugar mill was more than eight acres, where today the main building of the sugar mill stands in a dilapidated condition, but the rest of the land has been developed into a colony.
It is said that this sugar mill had about 50 acres of its own land, in which sugarcane was produced. Here, along with sugarcane production, good and improved quality sugarcane was planted and shown to the farmers and distributed so that good sugarcane could be available to this mill. On January 9, 1943, the Sugarcane Producer Cooperation Committee was formed here, in which sugarcane producing farmers were members.
Tenduni resident Ramlal Bhagat says that he used to hear from the elders that the name of this sugar mill was Mohani Sugar Mill and it was established by a businessman from Kolkata. It is said that it was also called Dumraon Raj Sugar Mill. This sugar mill was closed in the late 50s. This sugar mill of Bikramganj is also mentioned in Shahabad Gazetteer.
A published government report of 1934 – 35 mentions the Dumraon Raj Sugar Mills of Buxar, Dehri (Dalmianagar) and Bikramganj. The production capacity of this sugar mill was initially 250 tonnes, which was increased to 600 tonnes in 1940. At that time sugarcane was produced on a large scale in this area. There was hardly any village or farmer who did not produce sugarcane.
Sugarcane was the main crop here. Meanwhile, Rohtas Industrial Group, Dalmianagar installed a mill with a production capacity of 1500 tonnes. This had an adverse impact on the sugar mills of Bikramganj and Buxar.
Meanwhile, a sugar mill with a production capacity of 850 tonnes was built in Bihta and it also had an impact. After this, the sugar mills of Bikramganj and later Dehri and Bihta were also closed. Bikramganj Cane Union member Dhaneshwar Tiwari says that the sugar mill here was closed even before his contribution. They say that the equipment and spare parts of the sugar mill went to Warsaliganj.
Settlement settled on sugar mill land
In the name of Bikramganj Sugar Mill, now only the main building of the mill is there. Many houses and many colonies have been constructed in the remaining land. However, this land is neither registered nor anyone’s revenue receipt is deducted. There is a complete ban on registration of sugar mill land, but people buy and sell on the stamp only.
Transferred revenue employee Jaijit Kumar, who had worked as a revenue employee here, said that the name of Mohani Sugar Mill is also registered in register two. He told that the case of Dumraon Raj is still pending in the court. Dumraon Maharaj family claims that this land is Bakast land.
The case regarding this is still pending in the court. Raghunath Sah, who was associated with a sugar mill, sold this land to those who had built houses here. Although some people have been registered in the past, the filing has not been rejected.
Ken Union now reduced to just PDS
Bikramganj Ken Union has its own office. Till a year ago, the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer used to run on rent in this building. It was registered in 1943 to buy sugarcane and sell it to sugar mills. In return it received commission and this was the main source of income.
At present a PDS shop runs through it. Earlier only sugarcane producing farmers were its members. Later, he became a member of Multi-Business Committee, which is now known as Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperation Committees.
At present, Bikramganj Cane Union has 36 packs including three packs from Bikramganj, Sanjhauli, Suryapura, Dawath, Karakat and Piro block of Bhojpur district. This PACS president elects the president and the eleven-member committee.