The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Cane growers need support, say MLCs

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Friday, Apr 13, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cane growers need support, say MLCs

Special Correspondent

IN THELEGISLATURE They demand Maharashtra-like sops

BANGALORE: Members in the Legislative Council, cutting across party lines, on Thursday demanded that the Government come to the rescue of sugarcane growers who are in dire straits with no buyers for their crop due to glut in production.

The House took up a special discussion on the problems of sugarcane growers, in the wake of nine sugarcane growers attempting commit suicide at Jewargi in Gulbarga district.

Participating in the discussion, members suggested that the Government emulate Maharashtra which had provided sops to sugarcane growers.

They demanded that the sugarcane crushing season, which is scheduled to end this month, be extended.

Their other suggestions included providing transport allowance of Re. 1 per tonne per km to farmers, compensation of Rs. 100 for every percentage of reduction in sugar recovery in the sugarcane produce and an export subsidy of Rs. 100 per tonne. They also demanded that the purchase tax waiver benefit should be extended to all farmers.

Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil expressed concern that nearly 1.37 crore tonnes of sugarcane crop was yet to be harvested. The sugar recovery percentage of this produce would come down if there was any further delay in harvesting.

Siddu Nyamagouda (Congress) suggested that sugar factories be made financially viable by allowing them to take up co-generation and production of ethanol. The Government should permit the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to use ethanol-blended diesel for its fleet so that there would be a stable market for the ethanol produced by sugar factories.

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