The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangh on Thursday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office against the private manaement of Chamundeshwari Sugar Factory at Srinivasapura in Channarayapatna taluk for not clearing the dues to sugarcane growers so far. The company has to pay Rs. 300 a tonne of sugarcane to farmers.
The farmers had been protesting seeking payment of dues since August last year. As the factory management had failed to respond, the farmers locked up the entrance of the factory and staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office, keeping the keys with them.
They said they would not withdraw the protest till the factory cleared their dues.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Umesh H. Kubusad held a meeting with the representatives of the factory and Shravanbelgola MLA C.N. Balakrishna. While the representatives of the sugarcane growers demanded payment of dues immediately, Mr. Srinivasan, Managing Director of the factory, maintained that the factory required time till March-end to clear the dues.
Protesters contended that the factory had already taken enough time to pay the dues. It had also earned profit by selling sugar. “The factory should clear the dues without any delay. The previous Deputy Commissioner had granted two-months’ time. Now, the factory is again seeking another two-months,” said Manje Gowda, leader of the sangha.
The meeting remained inconclusive as both the parties stuck to their demands. The sangha leaders said, they would stage a protest in front of the Chief Minister’s residence at Bengaluru.
