Kar Govt to announce a package of measures for sugarcane growers

Bangalore, Jan 11(UNI) A comprehensive package covering all aspects of problems faced by sugar cane growers will be announced by the Karnataka Government in 10 days, Governor Rameshwar Thakur announced tonight.

Briefing newsmen after an executive committee meeting at Raj Bhavan here, he said the advisors held a meeting earlier with the agitating sugar cane growers and assured them about the government's proposals to resolve their problems. These problems could be resolved through coordinated efforts and cooperation by the government, farmers and the sugar mill owners, he added stressing the need for forming a committee to have a considered view on the subject. "We want to ensure that all sugar cane grown in this year should be crushed unlike the previous year," he added.

Replying to queries Senior Advisor P P Prabhu, who was also present, said the meeting also decided to give Rs 600 per quintal for Copra as ex-gratia. The minimum support price for Copra now was Rs 3840, he pointed out.

He said the meeting also decided to give upto paise 30 per kg of tomato if the minimum price crashed to less than Rs two a kg. The maximum coverage of area was upto 10 hectare per farmer and about 10 tons per hectare.

He said the government would also forward a revival package for the sick NGEF factory to the centre soon.

Another advisor, P K H Tharakan said the government had also decided to introduce e-stamping in several places in the city on a pilot basis to reduce scope of corruption in a month. This would also ensure prevention of fake documents, he explained saying that the measure was initiated following directions from the Finance Ministry.

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