Sugarcane growers, who were protesting in Belagavi for the last 13 days seeking payment of arrears by sugar factories, called off their stir on Friday following assurances by Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar that promises made by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to them on the issue would be fulfilled in two weeks.
The Minister, who was visiting the city to participate in a few functions, spoke to the farmers who were protesting outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
KRRS complaint
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leaders complained to Mr. Shivakumar that most factories had to pay them arrears of crores of rupees. They showed him some records to buttress their claims on arrears. “Sugar factory owners had falsely claimed before the Chief Minister [during a meeting] that they had no dues to settle,” the farmers alleged.
The Minister said it was unfortunate that factories had such a large amount in arrears. “The government is with you. We are committed to ensuring farmers’ welfare. We will see to it that justice is done,” he said. He told reporters that he would convey the concerns of farmers to the Chief Minister. The government would ensure that sincere attempts were be made to fulfil the farmers’ demands on payment of arrears, factories bearing transportation and cutting costs, and ensuring remunerative price for sugarcane.
Asked if he would request the Jarkiholi brothers, whose families own sugar factories, to settle their dues to farmers, Mr. Shivakumar said he was confident that they would settle their bills on their own.
‘No comments’
To repeated queries on the specific allegation of non-payment of arrears by factories owned by Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi’s family, Mr. Shivakumar said, “He is a senior leader. I will not comment about him”.
Mr. Shivakumar handed over tender coconuts to KRRS leaders, including Sidagouda Motagi and Jayashree Gurannanavar. Mr. Motagi later told reporters that they would wait for 15 days for the government to meet their demands.
Political differences?
Meanwhile, the Jarkiholi brothers — Mr. Ramesh Jarkiholi and Satish Jarkiholi — did not accompany Mr. Shivakumar when he met the protesters. This is being seen by Congress leaders in the district as another incident that demonstrated differences between Mr. Shivakumar and the Jarkiholi brothers.
“They did not meet him as long as he was in Belagavi. They did not accompany him either to the function on KLE Society premises or to the meeting of independent power producers. MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar, who is seen as a follower of Mr. Shivakumar, too did not accompany him,” a district Congress committee leader said.