Balasaheb Desai (born as Daulatrao Shripatrao Desai on 10 March 1910 in Village Vihe, Tal Patan, Satara district) was a leading politician and social worker from Maharashtra, India, who held important positions in the Maharashtra state government as home minister, education minister and cultural minister during the initial formation of the Maharashtra state.
He played a leading role in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement and dealt firmly with any outbreaks of violence during its activities in Bombay.
He insured that children of the poor, those whose incomes were not more than Rs.1200 per annum, received an education through Economically Backward Classes (E.B.C.)
He handled many critical situations during his term as home minister including the outbreak of violence by members of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement in Bombay (now Mumbai).
This sugar mill was started as a co-operative to provide stability and the opportunity for growth for farmers in the region.