Karnataka: Protest on October 27 seeking fair and remunerative price for sugarcane

MYSURU: Activists of the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association will block roads on October 27 to protest the delay on the part of the Karnataka government in fixing a fair and remunerative price (FRP) for the commercial crop. President of the association Shantakumar, interacting with representatives of media in Mysuru on Sunday, said that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of the government, and local elected representatives to take corrective measures to assuage the farmers’ fears. “We will also gather in front of the office of deputy commissioner of all districts on October 31,” said Shantakumar.
The state government, despite convening a meeting on four occasions to deliberate on this issue, has failed to finalise the FRP, he added. “But ministers, and other elected representatives have failed to heed our pleas. There are nearly 30 lakh farmers engaged in the cultivation of sugarcane,” he said.
Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanedra, and the MPs of the state have approached the Union government seeking support for areca farmers, but appear not to be concerned about sugarcane cultivators, Shantakumar said. tnn