Karnataka government to decide on sugarcane issues after Central team’s visit

Farmers’ leaders in attendance at the Chief Minister’s meeting in Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
P.K. BADIGER

The State government will take a decision on resolving issues related to sugarcane growers and the sugar industry after the visit of a Central committee headed by Ramesh Chand, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said in Belagavi on Monday.

“I am committed to resolving your problems. That is why we held a meeting with you in Belagavi and not in Bengaluru. I have also brought Ministers and Legislators along with me. However, it is difficult to find a solution on the spot. The issues facing sugarcane growers are complex and involve several players. I spoke to representatives of sugar factories this morning. Let us consider all issues and come to a decision. All I am asking you for is some time. Kindly give us some time,” he said.

He was speaking after a meeting with sugarcane farmers in Suvarna Soudha.

“Any decision by the government costs money. For example, when the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced an incentive of ₹50 per tonne, it cost the exchequer ₹300 crore. Due to the drought, our power subsidy bill has gone up by ₹8,000 crore. There is no comparison between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as their sugar output is just around 10% of that in Karnataka,” he said.

“I cannot declare anything here and now. We need funds to back up our claims. It is not my personal money. It is public money that is being managed by the government. I need to consult officers, then speak to other States, sugar factories and Union government officers. Only then can I say something clearly. I cannot lie to you and go away from here,” he told farmers.

“The Central committee is expected to visit the State by Thursday, October 29. We will present our case before them and seek a solution. We will strongly demand that the Minimum Selling Price of sugar be increased so that factories get more money that can be passed on to farmers. We will take a decision after that,” he said.

However, farmers did not agree to his request. A lot of them tried to speak at once, and nothing could be heard for some time. Farmer leader Chunappa Pujeri urged the Chief Minister to announce a decision about the revised prices for sugarcane, even if it meant taking some time by extending the meeting. He demanded that, for its part, the State government announce a State Advised Price (SAP) of at least ₹1,000 per tonne, and leave the rest to the Union government.

Minister Shivanand Patil said that the State government had taken several measures to address the grievances of sugarcane growers. “We have taken measures to introduce transparency in sugar factories and markets. APMCs have introduced 22 weighbridges near sugar factories. We will set up more such units, if needed,” he said.

“I thank you and appreciate you for raising the issue. I am confident that the problems of sugarcane farmers across the country will be resolved due to the agitation by the Karnataka farmers,” he said. He said that the SAP announced by the Bommai government was stayed by the courts and therefore, it was not easy for the State government to announce a new SAP.

Earlier, the Chief Minister held a meeting with representatives of sugar factories and legislators during which he struck a conciliatory tone. “All the stakeholders need to jointly find solutions to the problems of the sugarcane growers and the sugar industry. Nothing will be achieved by blaming anyone,” he said.