Sugarcane farmers begin indefinite fast

Chennai, June 19 (UNI) Members of CPI(M)-affiliated Tamil Nadu Sugarcane Farmers Association today commenced their indefinite fast here to highlight the plight of sugarcane farmers of Tamil Nadu.

The fast, led by Tamil Nadu Viavasayeegal Sangam President N Palanisamy, was to demand, among other things, lifting the entire sugarcane stock registered with sugar factories for crushing and ensuring suitable compensation for the growers from the factories if there was any delay in lifting the sugarcane, causing loss to the farmers.

They demanded that all unregistered sugarcane must be crushed by extending the crushing period of the respective sugar factories as assured by the State Agriculture Minister.

The government should take steps to establish captive power plants and Ethanol units in every sugar factory in the state.

UNI