The Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association has taken strong exception to the statement of the South Indian Sugar Mills’Association (SISMA-Karnataka) that the sugar factories were not in a position to pay arrears to farmers for the sugarcane crushed during 2013-14 and 2014-15 and the sugar factories were ready to face action from the government for non-compliance with its direction on payment of dues. The association urged the State government to take action against sugar factories for not obeying the government order and the High Court direction, and it urged the government to nationalise the sugar factories.
Kurubur Shanth Kumar, association president, said that sugar factories were misguiding the government by making false claims that they were facing serious financial crisis. He urged the State government to form a high-level committee to probe into the financial status of the sugar factories and why they were unable to pay the arrears of the sugarcane growers. He noted that 39 lakh tonne sugarcane was crushed during 2013-14 and 43 lakh tonne sugar crushed during 2014-15. The Centre had announced MSP of Rs. 2,200 per tonne in 2013 and Rs. 2,300 per tonne in 2014.
The association urged the government to prevail upon the sugar factories to settle the amount of sugarcane growers immediately. He said there were at least 20 lakh cane growers in the State, and if they were not paid their arrears, many of them may be forced to commit suicide unable to clear their debts.
