Karnataka Federation of Farmers Unions President and Kurubur State Sugarcane Growers Union President Sadakumar on Thursday said the Congress government should put politics aside and save the farmers who are in distress due to severe drought.
Already, 220 taluks had been declared drought-affected. The Centre’s criticism on the drought issue will not end the problems faced by the drought-hit farmers but instead find ways to pacify the agitated farmers, he suggested.
Addressing reporters in Mysuru, he said farmers who had taken crop loans from cooperative banks were unable to repay the outstanding dues due to crop losses.
He sought waiver of crop loans availed by farmers and demanded fresh loans for new crops to ensure food security. “When industries get relief with loan waivers, why can’t farmers,” he asked.
The farmers’ leader urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the minister in charge of Mysuru district to come to the rescue of sugarcane growers who are in a crisis situation with delayed payments from sugar mills.
Mr. Shanthkumar said that when Mr. Siddaramaiah was the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, he had demanded ₹4,500 per tonne for sugarcane, strongly arguing that farmers were not getting the cost of production for their produce. “Why is Mr. Siddaramaiah not talking about the issue now when he holds the post of CM,” he asked.
Harvesting and transportation costs borne by farmers to supply sugarcane to factories should be refunded immediately, he demanded.
Mr. Shanthakumar condemned the police action against the farmers when they tried to protest in front of the Chief Minister’s residence in Mysuru on November 9. The farmers were arrested when they tried to stage a protest to support their demands, he added.
At the time, the authorities here had told the protesting farmers that the Chief Minister would hold a meeting to discuss farmers’ problems during his visit to the city. Since it concerns the problems faced by sugarcane farmers in Varuna constituency, the concerned minister of Mysuru district should also pay special attention, the leader said and warned of organizing bigger protests if their problems remain unattended.
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