Pune/Bangalore:
The sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra have given an ultimatum to the state government for its failure to declare better prices for the crop, failing which the farmers have said they will organise a 48-hour bandh. The bandh call has been given by Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna leader and MP Raju Shetty.
Mr Shetty's party has alleged that because most of the sugar factories in the state are run by politicians from the Congress, NCP and the BJP they are depriving the farmers of their rights. It has demanded the goverment to announce Rs 3000 as Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane this year.
Last year, a similar agitation by sugarcane farmers had led to violent protests, especially in western Maharashtra and Marathwada regions. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, has asked Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to resolve the issue after an all-party delegation from the state met him on Tuesday.
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, the delegation \comprising of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said that declining price of sugarcane has aggravated the problems of the industry and led to serious law and order problems in the state.
In Uttar Pradesh, the deadlock between sugar mill owners and government is threatening to impact the production of sugar. Crucial talks to break the logjam over cane crushing operations failed yesterday, with sugar mill owners refusing to run their plants at current high sugarcane prices.
The issue has also rocked Karnataka with a sugarcane farmer committing suicide while protesting against non-payment of arrears by a sugar mill. (
Read) Hours later, Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah announced higher price for sugarcane.
"The government has decided to give Rs 150 per tonne of sugarcane in addition to Rs 2,500 MSP already announced," the Chief Minister said amid protests by Opposition over the tragic death of the farmer.
"I did not expect this tragedy to take place. In my entire political career this is the first such incident I have witnessed. It is most unfortunate. I was ready with the reply yesterday evening (on sugarcane price) but unfortunately the House was adjourned after several legislators spoke at length," he added.