Ryots demand jobs from sugar factory

Farmers allege jobs denied to youth in return for land

Farmers under the banner of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) staged a protest by ploughing the land at NSL Sugar factory in the taluk on Saturday alleging that the factory had failed to provide employment to ryots, who had given their land.

KRRS general secretary V Ashok said that the factory had taken land from 236 farmers and had promised to provide jobs to a family member. However, the company is yet to give jobs to 18 persons.

KRRS district president Konasale Narasaraju said the factory had blocked the water flowing through HLC Canal to the fields of the farmers. They demanded that action should be taken against the factory for polluting the environment. They also said that tractors and lorries of farmers were stopped from transporting sugarcane.

As the farmers continued their protest, factory CEO Managoli and deputy managing director Siddaramegowda spoke to the ryots assuring them of providing jobs to the 18 persons by Monday. They also said that the HLC Canal would be opened soon.

Nagamangala KRRS president Keelaghattananjundaiah, district secretary K G Umesh, ryot leaders Hurugalavadi Umesh, G Ashok, Gejjalagere Chandru, Kitti, Sathyappa, Krishnegowda, Srinivas, sugarcane growers association leader Chikkaramanna, K Krishna, Guluru Nagaraju and others were present.