Filing criminal cases against factories will not help resolve the problem: CM Siddaramaiah

BELAGAVI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday spiked speculation that either he or other senior leaders was summoned by central leaders of Congress in connection with the case of death of a student, Yellalinga, saying one person was arrested in this connection, and the case handed over to CID for investigation.

He told the media after inaugurating water supply projects for Ilkal, Hungund and Kushtagi towns at Almatti that the government has been working on measures to resolve the crisis faced by sugarcane growers in consultation with the Union government, and appealed to the NDA government to sanction the difference amount which sugar factories owe to cane growers.

The managements of these factories are yet to settle about Rs 2400 crores arrears of sugarcane farmers, but the state government has been trying to resolve the crisis on its own as well. In case these managements fail to settle the pending bills, the government has decided to seize sugar stored in these factories and later auction the stocks to settle the bills. “Filing criminal cases against factories will not help resolve the problem,” he added.

He criticized leaders of Opposition parties for planning protest rallies during the monsoon session of legislature in this border city, saying the leaders seem to be keen to waste precious time during the session rather than participate in debates. The state government was keen to address issues concerning north Karnataka, but leaders of Opposition parties had already chalked out plans to disrupt proceedings in both Houses, he added.