Karnataka government to decide on sugarcane issues after Central team’s visit

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar addressed a meeting with sugarcane farmers' leaders in Belagavi on Monday, stating that the state government would decide on resolving issues related to the sugarcane growers and the sugar industry following a visit by a Central committee headed by Ramesh Chand. The Chief Minister emphasized that resolving the complex issues facing sugarcane growers required time, funds, and consultation with various stakeholders, including sugar factories, the Union government, and officers of the state government.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the financial burden of implementing past incentive schemes, such as the ₹50 per tonne incentive announced by the previous Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, which cost the exchequer ₹300 crore. He noted that drought conditions had exacerbated power subsidy bills, increasing them by ₹8,000 crore. Additionally, he emphasized that Karnataka's sugar output was significantly higher than that of Tamil Nadu, accounting for roughly 90% of it.

The Central committee is expected to visit Karnataka by October 29, and the state government will present its case before them, demanding an increase in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar to benefit both factories and farmers. Farmer leader Chunappa Pujeri urged the Chief Minister to announce a revised sugarcane price, even if it took time, and suggested setting a State Advised Price (SAP) of at least ₹1,000 per tonne, with the remaining amount to be decided by the Union government.

Minister Shivanand Patil assured that the state government had taken measures to address farmers' grievances, such as introducing transparency in sugar factories and markets and setting up weighbridges near sugar factories. The farmer leaders, however, disagreed with the Chief Minister's request and demanded an immediate solution.