Even as farmers and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party have opposed the Karnataka Sugarcane (Regulation of Purchase and Supply) (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which was passed in both Houses recently, Minister for Sugar and Cooperation H.S. Mahadeva Prasad on Thursday defended the Bill saying it would help sugarcane growers. The Minister said the shortcomings in the Sugarcane Act had been addressed in the Bill.
Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Prasad said the sugarcane Bill would benefit growers and it promises appropriate price for sugarcane.
He said in accordance with the provisions of the Bill, a committee comprising representatives of sugarcane growers, sugar factories and the State government would be constituted. Sugarcane experts would also be accommodated in the panel, he added.
Mr. Prasad felt sugar factories should pay for the sugarcane supplied by farmers within 15 days from the date of supply.
“If they fail to do so, they have to make the payment with 15 per cent interest on outstanding dues. But, some factories are not following the rules and delay payment. The proposed committee will focus on such issues,” he said.
As per the new Bill, the committee will be empowered to inspect the factories, he said. Mr. Prasad said the State has 60 sugar factories. The Bill allows factories to get the crop harvested on their own instead of asking farmers to transport the crop to the factories. The respective factories and farmers can enter into agreements locally for the supply of sugarcane, he added.
