Assn seeks MSP for sugarcane; to lay siege to Raj Bhavan

Mysore, Jan 8 (UNI) Karnataka Sugarcane Growers' Association today threatened to lay siege to Raj Bhavan, pressing for various demands, including fixing of minimum support price for sugarcane, in Bangalore on January 11.

Speaking to newspersons here, Association President Kurabur Shanthakumar said despite its several memoranda, the government had not responded positively to this serious issue, which had been causing concern for the sugarcane growers.

He appealed to the farmers to extend their support to the agitation.

The Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments had fixed the MSP for sugarcane at Rs 1,100 a quintal, with nine per cent yield and Rs 100 additional to extra one per cent yield. The same pattern should be adopted in the state also, he demanded.

Mr Kumar urged the Centre to implement the recommendations of the Agricultural Price Fixation Committee (APFC), headed by famous agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, released in 2006.

The MPs from the state should take up the issue and mount pressure on the Centre to incorporate allocations in the next budget.

Under pressure from multi-national companies, the amended the APMC Act and Seed Act and was setting up SEZ in various states, by acquiring farm lands, Mr Kumar alleged.

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