KSSGA threatens to launch state-wide agitation

Mysore, Dec 8 (UNI) Karnataka State Sugar Cane Growers' Association today threatened to launch a state-wide agitation if the government does not fix the prices for the sugar cane on par with other states.

Speaking to media persons, Association President Kurubur Shantha Kumar said that the farmers have been demanding to fix the minimum support price for the sugar cane crop on scientific bases and however, the government has not taken the issue seriously.

Tamil Nadu has been paying Rs 1115 per tonne sugar cane while Puduchery Rs 1196 and Uttar Pradesh Rs 1300, he said.

However, the state was paying only Rs 900 per tonne, he said.

He also announced that farmers from the state will take part in a national farmers conference to be held at Hyderabad on December 12 to urge the Centre to provide relief to the agriculture sector in the new budget.

He said on December 18 a meeting of the sugar cane farmers of Mysore and Chamarajanagara district would be held to chalk out future course of action on the proposed state-wide agitation.

Referring to the pressure from the banks on the farmers for their loans, he warned them that they would take up agitation against such banks and stop the transactions if they did not adopt a humanitarian attitude.

UNI