Sugarcane growers in Karnataka's Belagavi district have issued a stern ultimatum, setting a 1 p.m. Wednesday deadline for the state government to declare a remunerative price for their produce. Failure to meet this demand, they warn, will trigger a massive "jail bharo" agitation and widespread protests across the region. This decisive move follows a series of unsuccessful negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing dispute between farmers and sugar factory owners.
The farmers are steadfast in their demand for a total of Rs 5,500 per tonne of sugarcane, comprising Rs 4,500 from sugar factories and an additional Rs 1,000 as a state government subsidy. They have outright rejected the factory owners' offer of Rs 3,500 per tonne. Farmer leader Choonappa Poojari emphasized the futility of endless meetings without a concrete resolution, directly appealing to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to announce the Rs 1,000 per tonne state contribution. Poojari warned of severe repercussions and a major agitation during the upcoming winter session of the Karnataka Legislature if demands remain unaddressed.
Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi, also the Belagavi District In-charge Minister, is currently conducting a crucial third round of discussions with sugar factory owners on Wednesday. These talks gain significance as two previous meetings he convened on Tuesday failed to break the deadlock. Farmers have made it clear they will not withdraw their agitation until a satisfactory price is announced.
This latest development follows weeks of intensifying sugarcane agitation. Farmers have already initiated their "jail bharo" programme, marching towards Hindalga Central Prison in Belagavi wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Prisoner Number 5,500" – symbolizing their price demand. Past protests included a 30-hour blockade of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway. Demonstrations also occurred in Mysuru and Mandya, where farmers attempted to enter Deputy Commissioner's offices and raised slogans against both state and central governments. An October 26 meeting at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, involving government, factory owners, and farmer representatives, also concluded without resolution, with several factories reportedly not implementing a government suggestion for an extra Rs 250 per tonne. Beyond the immediate price, farmer organisations also advocate for increasing the minimum support price of sugar from Rs 31 to Rs 60 per kg, revising the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), ensuring timely payments within 14 days, and establishing a comprehensive sugar policy.
Image: mangalorean.com
đź“° Source: Mangalorean News