'Reopen MySugar, Sri Rama cooperative sugar factory'

Letter campaign in KR Nagar today; Padayatra on December 3

Seeking measures to reopen Sri Rama cooperative sugar factory in KR Nagar taluk, a letter campaign will be held on Friday, said Sugarcane Growers Association president Hale Mirle Sunay Gowda.

Addressing a press meet here on Thursday, he alleged that Sugar Minister Mahadev Prasad had failed miserably in his efforts to revive sugar factories. Several petitions have been submitted to the chief minister seeking his intervention in reviving the sugar factories, he said.

He criticised the government’s anti-farmer policies, which has affected the cane growers of the region. About 2.58 lakh tonnes of sugar cane is being transported from the taluk to other sugar factories. The travel expense of Rs 448 per tonne are being borne by the farmers themselves. In all, the farmers have incurred Rs seven crore loss, he said.

Neglected
The government has promised to release Rs 210 crore for MySugar factory in Mandya. Apart from this, it is also bearing the travel expenses of the cane shifted by the farmers. But, the cane growers of the region are totally neglected and the government is showing step-motherly treatment, he alleged.

Condemning this, a letter campaign will be held on Friday. Following this, a hunger stir will be started near Tahsildar’s office from November 24.

He stressed that MLA Sa Ra Mahesh should discuss the issue in the session. If he is not provided an opportunity to discuss the issue, he should extend his co-operation to the protest, he demanded.

The farmers of the region, had taken 350 quintals of paddy from the Agriculture department, which are of substandard quality. The crop grown in 6,000 acres has been affected by blast disease. Criminal cases has to be filed against the companies, he demanded.

Padayatra
More than 3,000 farmers will take out a padayatra from Mandya to Bengaluru on December 3, to exert pressure on the government to reopen MySugar factory in Mandya, said Pandavapura Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane (PSSK) president and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Secretary K S Nanjundegowda.

Addressing farmers at a meeting in Mandya, on Thursday, Nanjundegowda said that the MySugar factory, considered to be a lifeline for the sugar cane growers in the region was incurring huge losses. The government, which had announced a grant of Rs 120 crore, has failed to keep up its promise. As a result, those irrespective of workers and farmers dependent on the factory, have been pushed into the brink of uncertainty, he
alleged.

The association has decided to take out a padayatra to exert pressure on the government in this regard, he said.

Canal works
Speaking about repair works of Chikkadevaraya canal (CDS) near KRS, he said the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam officials had assured to take up the works from January 2016. However, the farmers have not been informed in this regard till now. If prior information is not given, the cane growers may face huge losses, he said.

About 70 per cent of repair works at Virija canal has been completed and the remaining works should be completed soon, he stressed.