Sugar cane crushing begins in Bagalkot

Close on the heels of the State government announcing several sops for sugar factories, sugar cane crushing began at eight factories in the district on Friday.

Of the nine factories in the district, Ranna Co-operative Sugar Factory had begun the operation 15 days ago. The sugar factories had been adopting adamant stand on purchase price and payment of dues to farmers. The government had even warned of taking over the factories if they failed to fall in line. Three rounds of talks with district in charge minister and deputy commissioner had failed to break the deadlock.

However, this time too there has been no clarity on purchase price and payment of dues.
Farmers’ leader Muttappa Komara told Deccan Herald  that the delay in commencing sugar cane crushing had cost the farmers dear. He said farmers had to pay wages to labourers who came from Maharashtra for harvesting.  He said the crop had started to wither away due to the delay in harvesting.

“Sugar cane growers will lay  siege to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on December 9 demanding government take steps for recovery of dues from factories,” he said.