Hubli: After a farmer’s suicide marred the winter session of the Legislature in Belgaum, the government will face the wrath of sugarcane growers once again.
The growers are gearing up to lay siege to Vidhan Soudha during the joint session of the legislature beginning on January 22 as the government has not fulfilled its promise made to them even after more than one month. Office-bearers of the Sugarcane growers association from across the State have resolved to step up their agitation during a meeting held in Bagalkot.
“Sugarcane growers have decided to give a one-week deadline to the state government to pay Rs 2,650 per tonne for sugarcane produce as announced during the winter session. Strict measures should be initiated to settle farmers’ outstanding bills by sugar factories. We will stage a dharna in front of offices of the deputy commissioner in all districts and lay siege to Vidhan Soudha along with thousands of farmers during the joint session”, State sugarcane growers association president Kurubur ShanÂtakÂumar said.
The farmers felt the government should lodge criminal case against sugar factory owners for their inability to pay the price of Rs 2,500 per tonne as ordered. Holding CM Siddaramaiah responsible for the failure to resolve the problems of sugarcane growers, they charged that the government has not yet learnt lessons from the suicide by the farmer. They also alleged that the farmers continue to suffer as around 58 sugar factories have outstanding dues to the tune of Rs 800 crore.
“The factory owned by Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi alone needs to pay dues of Rs 30 crore to farmers. The factories owned by heavyweights inÂclÂuding Shamanur ShÂivaÂshÂankarappa also owe laÂrge dues to farmers. ThÂeÂrefore, the government should resolve the issue or taÂke over the factories for failing to pay the price of Rs 2,500 per tonne”, ShÂanÂtakumar added.
