New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, personally helped end the impasse between the sugar factory management and the sugarcane farmers in the state.
The dispute arose after farmers started demanding Rs 5.500 per tonne for the sugarcane. The meeting was held at Circuit House and it went on beyond Monday midnight.
Following the meeting, it was decided that the sugar factory owners would pay for the sugarcane based on the minimum selling price (MSP) for sugar, which is fixed by the Union government. It is expected that the farmers and sugar factory owners would announce their final decision in the matter, within the next 2 days.
According to a report in the Deccan Herald, CM Shivakumar held several rounds of meetings with sugar factory managements and the farmers, starting Monday morning. These meetings went on till well beyond midnight and finally a formula was worked out to resolve the matter. The meetings were held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and the Circuit House.
The CM began meetings with the sugar factory management at the Vidhan Soudha. There were at least 5 rounds of meetings between the CM and the factory management, These continued till midnight. The meetings lasted approximately for 10 hours.
A total of 9 Ministers and 70 legislators took part in the meeting. Management representatives of 79 sugar factories attended the meeting. Apart from this farmers also were present for the meeting and presented their views and demands.
By midnight, the CM managed to work out a formula to resolve the dispute, between the 2 sides. He said that the farmers also met some Union Ministers earlier, who gave them assurances.
The decision was reached that the sugar factory owners would pay the farmers based on the MSP, once this was fixed. The factory owners have agreed to this.
The CM said that both the farmers and the sugar factories must survive. He added that the livelihood of farmers was important for the government. The farmers have asked for 2 days’ time. During this time, they would discuss the matter among themselves and arrive at a decision.
The CM said that the farmers and factory owners are close to reaching an agreement. He said that the state government would stand by them and support them. He also said that the farmers will hold a discussion with the Union government and then the state would hold discussions with the Centre.
Shivakumar said that the farmers of the state had been provided with an incentive and the state government was prepared to hold talks with the Centre on this particular issue at any time. He said that the farmers are hopeful that the Union Ministers will honour their promises. He added that his government was prepared to stand with both parties and help resolve the matter.
