‘BJP’s agri budgets had no impact’
2 Dec 2013 7:34 PM IST2 Dec 2013 7:34 PM IST
Exclusive interview with Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda.
Picture for representational purpose only.
Several initiatives including waiver of agricultural loans by successive governments, have failed to prevent farmers from committing suicide. In the last five years, 712 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka. The agricultural budgets of the previous BJP government too have failed to address the grievances of the sector. The recent suicide of a sugarcane farmer outside Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belgaum at a time when the legislature session was on, has highlighted the need to focus more on the problems of farmers. Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda, in an interview with Deccan Chronicle, said the government has earmarked over Rs 2,000 crore to fund support prices for all agricultural produce and has also taken necessary steps to step up crop productivity. Excerpts from an interview.
Q: Why are farmers facing problems, especially sugarcane farmers?
A: There is no distress among farmers. Last year, the sugar price was Rs 34 per kg and farmers were paid Rs 2,400 as support price for a tonne of sugarcane. Today, sugar price has dropped to Rs 26 per kg and still, we are paying farmers Rs 2,650 per tonne of sugarcane. This time, the government is giving sugarcane growers Rs 800 crore directly. We will pay Rs 150 as incentive to farmers for each tonne of sugarcane, they will also get Rs 100 due to waiver of cess and road taxes while supplying cane to factories. This is much more than last year.
Q: What are the parameters followed by the government while fixing sugarcane price?
A: The Sugar Control Board has came into existence last year. The Board has held three meeting. We fixed the price after discussions with representatives of factories, farmers and the government. Before fixing the price, the revenue sharing formula of sugar and its byproducts was taken into consideration. We have considered the average price of sugar in the last six months and the likely prices in the next six months and fixed the price, but sugar factory owners opposed it. The Chief Minister intervened and agreed to waive road and purchase tax which will cost us an additional Rs 300 crore.
Q: What will the government do if sugar factories refuse to pay the procurement price to farmers?
A: Farmers are happy with our decision to enhance the cane price, but some factories have not agreed to pay the price fixed by the Sugar Control Board. The sugar minister has gone on record stating that factories which refuse to pay the price fixed by us, will face legal action. The Act itself provides legal remedies to enforce the government decision.
Q: There are sugar factories owned by ministers, MLAs of north Karnataka are directly or indirectly associated with sugar factories. In such a situation, how will you enforce the decision?
A: Sugar factories owners are part of all governments and have prevailed on the government when it comes to sugarcane price fixation. Despite their resistance, we have fixed a higher price this year. The government has not compromised when it comes to the interests of sugarcane growers.
Q: Why can’t the state government prevail upon the Centre to impose restrictions on import of sugar?
A: The government has to consider consumer interests too. If we restrict sugar imports, sugar price in local markets will shoot up. Curbs on sugar imports could lead to restrictions on rice import from India. These are interdependent in the international market.
Q: Do you think the suicide of a sugarcane farmer will boomerang on the ruling Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections?
A: The suicide is unfortunate, but we have to move forward by taking corrective steps. This incident will have no impact on the government and party as we are committed to safeguard the interests of farmers.
Q: Are there political motives behind the protests following the suicide?
A: We have done our best to address the issue, we are in touch with the farmers. Four ministers visited the venue of the agitation and addressed their problems.
Q: What are the measures taken by your department to stabilize the prices of other crops?
A: The department has announced an increase in the support price of paddy by Rs 299 per quintal. We have announced Rs 300 as support price for Ragi and for Rs 300 for jowar. The government has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore as support price for all agricultural produce as per the rates fixed by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). We are taking proactive steps to help the farmer.
Q: The previous government had presented agricultural budgets in an attempt to help farmers, have they worked?
A: There has been absolutely no impact of the Agricultural budget. Worse, the BJP government did not spend even 50 per cent of the allocation made in the Agricultural budget. This was only a gimmick. We have no time for such gimmicks, we will take up genuine issues and address them in a genuine manner.
Q: Bengaluru is yet to get good infrastructure though the new government has competed six months at office.
A: Infrastructure problems have not happened all of a sudden. After we came to power, new projects have been sanctioned. Projects worth over Rs 400 crore are in the pipeline, within a month these projects will be implemented.
Another issue is the structure of BBMP which is not adequately meeting administrative needs.
The government is planning to restructure the Palike. The BBMP is being run as per Karnataka Municipal Administration Act, which is an old Act. We will change the set-up after discussions with all stakeholders in Bengaluru.
( Source : dc )
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