CM orders probe, comes out with all guns blazing

Belgaum: With the state government announcing a magisterial probe into the suicide of 55 year old farmer Vittal Arabavi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may well have taken the sting out of the opposition’s attack. But it remains to be seen if the BJP, JD(S) and former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa, who seemed deprived of a potential issue to target the government when the session started, will let the sugarcane crisis die out so soon.

The opposition made clear their intentions on Thursday with BJP members staging a protest in the well of the House. The JD(S) wanted the proceeding to continue, so that they could find a solution to the problems faced by sugarcane farmers, The BJP contended that the government should issue cheques to farmers and later recover it from sugar factory owners.

The House was adjourned thrice to find a solution and amidst the din, the government introduced seven bills.

Soon after the House assembled the BJP members started protesting in the well. Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa adjourned the House for an hour and convened a meeting of floor leaders. When the Assembly assembled after three hours, it was adjourned for lunch.

After lunch, former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who had gone to attend the funeral of the deceased farmer, returned to the House. While BJP members continued to protest, Speaker resumed the Question Hour and later allowed the government to introduce the bills. Nothing could be heard due to slogan shouting by BJP members.

Opposition leader H.D. Kumaraswamy intervened and suggested that the Speaker adjourn the House and hold another round of talks to clear the air and ensure smooth proceedings.

During the second meeting, the JD(S) agreed with the government decision to initiate criminal proceedings against the sugar factories, which refuse to pay Rs 2,650 per ton of sugarcane to farmers. However, the BJP wanted the government to take the responsibility of ensuring payments to farmers, as factory owners were not abiding by the government order.

When the House assembled again, Siddaramaiah said the government would invoke provisions of Karnataka Sugarcane Regulation Act, against sugar factory owners, who fail to make full payment to farmers.

Siddaramaiah said this was not the first time a farmer had committed suicide. Calling on farmers not to get emotionally charged, he said the government would come to their rescue.