The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Better price for sugarcane sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 31, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Better price for sugarcane sought

Special Correspondent

‘Direct sugar units to honour commitment made to growers’

BANGALORE: Former Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash on Sunday urged Governor Rameshwar Thakur to direct sugar companies to honour their commitment made to sugarcane growers in the State.

Speaking to The Hindu after meeting the Governor here, he said according to an agreement between various sugar factories in the State, particularly in Bellary, and sugarcane growers, the factories had to pay Rs. 1,140 a tonne of cane. But when the prices of sugarcane fell in the international market, the factories stated that they would pay only Rs. 968 a tonne as per the government’s procurement price.

Mr. Prakash said this would affect the growers and add to the financial crisis they were facing because of the poor cane prices. He said that he had appealed to the Governor to direct the sugar factories to stick to the prices agreed earlier. He had also apprised the Governor of the agitation launched by the growers.

The Governor had spoken to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and had taken data pertaining to the pricing of sugarcane from the Department of Agriculture. The Governor had promised him that he would take steps to give the best price to growers, Mr. Prakash said.

Mr. Prakash said the factories paid Rs. 1,000 a tonne of sugarcane up to May and Rs. 928 later. For the new crushing season, they were offering Rs. 968 a tonne, which was below the agreed price. The new crushing season was yet to begin. Mr. Prakash lauded the Governor for taking steps to extend cardiac care and cancer treatment to the poor with the help of some organisations and hospitals.

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