Farmers to withdraw agitation, mega rally

Sugar cane farmers on Monday decided to call off their convention scheduled on December 4 in front of the Suvarna Soudha after holding talks with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Farmers’ leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar told reporters that the rally has been cancelled as Siddaramaiah has promised to convene a meeting of the farmers on December 9. “The chief minister has assured to take up the issue with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar during his visit to Delhi on December 6. He has also assured to seek the Central assistance to increase the purchase price for sugar cane. Hence, it has been decided to call off the strike,” he added.

The farmers have also decided to withdraw their ongoing protest dharna in front of Suvarna Soudha. The next course of action will be decided after December 9, Chandrashekar said. A farmers’ faction led by Chandrashekar had warned to organise a massive rally on December 4, demanding the government to increase the support price. The farmers were not happy with Rs 150 support price announced recently.

The government has provided remunerative price for sugar cane this year. The burden on the government due to Rs 150 support price and waiver of various taxes and cess to the factories is about Rs 800 crores. Moreover, sugar price has touched the rock bottom. Sugar factories had complained that it would be difficult for them to give Rs 2,650 per tonne. But, the government has been convincing them to pay the amount fixed, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have told the farmers at the meeting.