HDK assures sugarcane farmers of early resolution of grievances

Bengaluru: The chief minister Kumaraswamy met a delegation of sugarcane farmers on Sunday and assured them an early resolution to their pending demands including early clearance of dues on sugarcane procurement and withdrawal of cases filed against them.

Karnataka State Sugarcane Cultivators’ Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar, who led the delegation said that would convene a meeting after May 23 to resolve the issue over delay in payments due to the farmers.

Shanthakumar further added that the sugarcane factories in the State were yet to pay nearly Rs 4,000 crore for cane procurement for the year 2018-19 though they are bound to clear the dues within 15 days on purchase of cane from farmers.

The farmers also informed Kumaraswamy about the cases filed against farmers for taking part in protests and agitations to fight for their legitimate rights.

Some of the cases were registered almost a year ago and have not yet been withdrawn, informed sources.

After the farmers spoke about their problems they received an assurance from the Kumaraswamy that a meeting would be convened on May 27 and steps would be taken to ensure that cases registered against farmers were withdrawn.