MySugar row: ministers tight-lipped, farmers left in lurch in Mandya

Protest by cane growers will complete 50 days this week

The confusion over reopening the government-owned Mysugar factory, that closed one and a half years ago, continues leaving the farmers in deep trouble.

The indefinite protest being staged by the sugar cane growers of the district will be completing 50 days this week. But there are no signs of reopening the factory, which is the lifeline of the agrarian community here.

Ironically, District In-charge Minister Ambareesh and Sugar Minister H S Mahadev Prasad have not broken their silence to come to the aid of the farmers in distress.

It may be mentioned that the state government had assured the sugar cane growers last year that the factory would be reopened for crushing. But, at the last moment, the cane grown in the factory limits were transported to other factories for crushing to prevent an embarrassment to the government.

They alleged that there is lack of communication between the Sugar Minister, the district minister and the cane growers.

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Nagabushan, who is also the In-charge Managing Director of MySugar factory had already held talks with the farmers, which was a failure. The cane growers had continued their stir hoping that they would get the attention of the ministers concerned.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the protesters claimed that the authorities concerned have failed to explain the problems in reopening the factory, the measures taken in this regard, utilisation of government funds, renovation and other details and keeping them in dark. The state government has failed miserably in MySugar issue, they alleged.

Technical teams

Meanwhile, according to sources, technical teams will be visiting the factory for assessment. It is said that the government had sought the technical help of the National Sugar Institute of Kanpur and Vasanthdada Sugar Institute in assessing the factory.

A team representing National Sugar Institute will be visiting the factory on June 13 and the other team, a week after. It is expected that the teams would submit a report in a week.

The works undertaken to repair the factory boiler would also be completed soon, it is said.  However, the future course of action would be taken by the government only after the report is submitted, it is said.