'Come out with clear stand on arrears within two days'

DC Ramegowda sets deadline to Bannari Amman sugar factory

Deputy Commissioner Ramegowda on Thursday directed Bannari Amman Sugar Factory at Nanjangud taluk in the district, to announce its stand on clearing the arrears of sugarcane growers within two days.

Presiding over a meeting of farmers under the banner of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association at his office, the deputy commissioner also instructed the factory management to apprise both his office and also the farmers on the decision taken.

Following a petition by Sugarcane Growers Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar that the factory is yet to clear the arrears of Rs 600 per tonne for the current year and Rs 500 for the previous year, the deputy commissioner said that it was imperative for the officers to develop a pro-farmer attitude to earn the confidence of the farmers by solving the issue.

The deputy commissioner also said that measures will be initiated to enable farmers find answers to their queries, at every taluk level by making tahsildars to hold mandatory meetings with both officers and farmers.

Ramegowda also responded positively on another important demand to revive Sri Rama Sugar Factory at T Narsipur taluk in the district and Ambika Sugar Factory at K R Nagar taluk, by bringing it to the notice of the government.

Ramegowda directed lead bank manager Shivalingaiah to direct all the banks to waive off loans to the tune of Rs 25,000 of farmers, following the declaration of Mysore district as drought-hit and also renew crop loans on demand.

Sri Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) Limited was asked to take steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply to irrigation pumpsets and drinking water by giving more priority to stock transformers and other needed equipment.

Water Resources department was directed to take up de-weeding and desilting works on priority, as water supplied through canals have to reach the fields at the tail end too.