Karnataka - Mysore   

‘Thangadagi’s statement misleading’

MYSORE: Agricultural Marketing Minister Shivaraj Thangadagi came under fire from the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association for reportedly claiming that the Union Government had not fixed the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) for sugarcane for the 2008-09 sugar season.

Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar took exception to the Minister’s reported statement and accused him of issuing misleading statements.

“The Minister’s statement that the Centre has not fixed the SMP for sugarcane for 2008-09 sugar season is absolutely false,” he said.

Mr. Shanthakumar said that instead of giving false reasons, the State Government should immediately take steps to fix the sugarcane price in Karnataka for the 2008-09 sugar season and help the farmers.

He accused the State Government of dragging its feet over the issue of paying an additional Rs. 160 a tonne announced during President’s Rule in the State.

The State Government should crack the whip and take action against sugar factories which are denying growers their due.

“The fact of the matter is that the Government has a vested interest in the matter as many sugar factories are owned by politicians. Though the sugar factories are making huge profits, they are not ready to pay the growers their due,” Mr. Shanthakumar charged.

Criticising the Government for allowing the sugar factories to pay Rs. 100 a tonne as against Rs. 160 and delaying the payment of the remaining Rs. 60 for two months, Mr. Shanthakumar said the Government should direct the sugar factories to pay Rs. 160 a tonne in a single instalment.

Mr. Shanthakumar said the growers would stop supplying sugarcane to the factories if their problems were not solved.

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