(a) Two reasons why sugar industry has developed in Maharashtra are: (i) Geographical conditions are suitable for the cultivation of sugarcane. (ii) Sugar industry is better organized and farms are close to the mills. (b) Importance of silk industry in India because: (i) It is labour intensive industry provides employment to people in rural areas. (ii) India is fourth largest producer of silk in the world. (c) Three factors that favour cotton industry in Kolkata are: (i) Being close to Jharia and Raniganj coal fields. It has sufficient power supply. (ii) It has a port facility for import and export. (iii) It has humid climate which facilitates the spinning of yam of finer cotton. (d) (i) Sugarcane must be crushed within 24 hrs of harvesting because the sucrose content starts decreasing. (ii) Four sugar milling centres in Northern plains—Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Lucknow and Munger.