Farmers in Karnataka protest for higher sugarcane and sugar prices
Protesters under the banner of Karnataka Rajya Rait Sangha and Hasiru Sene demand Rs 5,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Farmers under the Karnataka Rajya Rait Sangha and Hasiru Sene began protests on Saturday following a statewide bandh call, according to the Deccan Herald. The protesters are seeking Rs 5,500 per tonne for sugarcane, a higher minimum selling price for sugar, and non-discriminatory ethanol procurement from state sugar factories by the Centre.
In Belagavi, farmers obstructed bus movement at the Central Bus Stand and blocked traffic near the Hirebagewadi toll plaza and Hattargi on the Pune-Bengaluru national highway. Additional road blockades occurred at Kamatnur Circle in Hukkeri taluk and four other locations.
Karnataka Rajya Rait Sangha and Hasiru Sene State President Chunappa Pujeri and Honorary President Shashikant Guruji stated they would not permit the crushing season to begin until their demands are met. They noted that despite drought conditions and drying sugarcane, the State and Union governments must address the farmers' needs.
General Secretary Kishan Nandi said that bus movement was blocked at the Central Bus Stand and that the Belagavi-Bagalkot road and airport entry would also face blockades. Earlier, protesters marched to the residence of Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi.
The Union government formed a committee that visited Bengaluru on October 29 and 30 to assess the demands. This committee is expected to meet with officials and farmer leaders before reporting to the Centre.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met with protesting farmers during a march to Hubballi and held previous meetings with sugar factory managements, though no solution was reached.