The State government has given an ultimatum to sugar factories for release of arrears to farmers at the rate of Rs 2,500 per tonne of sugar cane by Wednesday night, said Law Minister T B Jayachandra.

The minister said the sugar factory owners had on Tuesday late night submitted a memorandum, stating they would give an additional Rs 100 totalling to Rs 1,800 per tonne, for the farmers.

‘No choice’

“But this is not acceptable. While I do not want to threaten the factory owners with action, the State will have no choice but to initiate civil and criminal proceedings against them if they fail to give Rs 2,500, ex-field in north Karnataka districts and Rs 2,500 ex-gate in south Karnataka districts,” the minister said.