Karnataka   

Agitation by KRRS from today

MYSORE: Frustrated by the lackadaisical attitude of the Government in addressing the problems of sugarcane growers, and disappointed with the ‘package’ offered by Governor Rameshwar Thakur, the unified Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) is all set to intensify its struggle across the State from Saturday.

The district unit of KRRS started its protests in Mandya district on Wednesday. Agitations will commence in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts from Saturday, according to KRRS leaders.

In a bid to find a solution to the problems of sugarcane growers, the State Government announced steps for the sugar year 2007-08.

Among the measures announced was an additional sum of Rs. 125 a tonne above the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) fixed by the Centre at Rs. 811, for a nine per cent sugar recovery, besides continuing crushing of cane by sugar mills without stoppage.

The Government has also offered to pay Rs. 2 a tonne for every kilometre beyond 50 km, to facilitate crushing unregistered sugarcane by other mills. It has also released Rs. 7 crore towards payment of Rs. 25,000 per hectare for cane left uncrushed, a commitment that the Government had made during the previous season. Of this, while Bijapur district gets Rs. 5 crore, Chamarajanagar and Bagalkot will receive Rs. 1 crore each.

The Government also assured to help in improving the liquidity of sugar factories to enable them to clear cane price arrears for present year.

KRRS is not satisfied with this package.

According to its leader, K.S. Puttanniah, the additional sum of Rs. 125 a tonne above the SMP is not satisfactory as they had demanded Rs. 200.

Farmers in Mandya district have already started an agitation to exhort pressure on the Government to accept its demand.

The recent merger of two major factions of KRRS has raised their spirits. The farmers began a dharna in front of the taluk offices in Malavalli, Maddur, Mandya, Pandavapura, Sriranga Patna and K.R. Pet from Thursday morning.

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