I will seek interim relief for sugarcane farmers, says Bommai

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai says he will submit a letter seeking interim relief for farmers, which will help resolve their issues and allow sugar factories to begin their crushing season.

“I will urge the Central panel on sugar prices headed by Ramesh Chand to provide some interim relief to sugarcane farmers,” BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday.

“I have sought an appointment with the Central panel on sugar prices headed by Ramesh Chand in New Delhi on Thursday. I will submit a letter seeking interim relief for farmers, which will help resolve their issues and allow sugar factories to begin their crushing season. I will also urge Union Minister for Food Pralhad Joshi to accept that interim relief formula and help the farmers,” he said in Haveri.

He was responding to farmers who gheraoed him after the Rajyotsava function.

“I know very well that it is the Union government that fixes Minimum Selling Price for sugar and Fair and Remunerative Price for sugarcane. But finally, it is the sugar factories that write out a check for you. All of us, farmers organisations, the State government and the Union government need to bring pressure to bear upon the sugar factories to pay you higher prices,” Mr. Bommai, who has also served as a Chief Minister, said.

Meanwhile, members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha stopped him from boarding his vehicle and asked him to force Mr. Pralhad Joshi to announce a revised MSP for sugar.

A farmer said that last year, they did have clarity on the pricing of sugar and sugarcane and that they staged a protest against the State government.

“But this year, we have learnt all there is to know and we are putting forward our demands before the Union government. You are our representative in Parliament and you should raise our issues before the Union government,” he said.

Another farmer asked him to stop sugar factories from starting crushing till the sugarcane and sugar prices are revised.

Mr. Bommai responded by saying that he will direct the Deputy Commissioner to do so.

Yet another farmer said that it will not help them and sought Mr. Bommai’s personal intervention. Mr. Bommai said that he will see what can be done about it.