DKS intervenes, Sugarcane farmers withdraw protests

Sugarcane farmers, who were staging an indefinite protest, withdrew their agitation on Friday after Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar, assured them that the state government was committed to protecting their interests.

"The state government will not succumb to pressure from sugar factory owners," the minister assured. One farmer who was on an indefinite fast also withdrew the protest.

Shivakumar came to the protesting farmers and apprised them that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had given sugar factory owners 15 days time to clear pending dues. The current year prices would be paid as per the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) guidelines, he added.

“Protecting farmer interests is a priority for the state government. Your protests have got our attention and we have responded,” the minister noted.

Shivakumar said, that the winter session of the state legislature would be held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha next month and farmers could voice grievances there too.

Wrong figures

Bharatiya Krishak Samaj (Samyukta) President Sidagouda Modgi, who had commenced indefinite fast on Thursday, alleged that sugar factories had given wrong figures to the DC's office.

He also demanded that the state government must implement State Advisory Price (SAP) Act. "We do not want confrontation with sugar factories or the government. But farmers interests must be protected," he added.

Shivakumar offered tender coconut to Modgi and woman farmer Jayashree Gurannavar when they withdrew their indefinite fast .