Cane farmers protest, demand promised MSP

Mysuru: Sugarcane farmers from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts on Tuesday staged a protest in the city accusing the district administration of failure to protect the interests of farmers.
They took out a protest rally and staged a dharna at the deputy commissioner’s office seeking the DC to order sugar factories to pay Rs 150 extra per tonne of sugarcane that was fixed by the government three months earlier.
Farmers demanded action against the factories for failing to comply with the government order. Sugarcane Farmers Association president Kurbur Santhakumar said following their protest for 39 days, the government issued an order to pay Rs 150 extra, but it has not been complied with for three months. The DC has failed to initiate action in this regard despite the issue being brought to his notice, he said.
Pressing for other demands, farmers demanded to increase ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of victims in animal attack to Rs 50 lakh, and urged the DC take action against foresters for targeting farmers and sending them to jail for the death of wildlife in their fields.
They also demanded to cancel the purchase limit from farmers at paddy, millet, and other crop purchase centres. Farmers warned that they will intensify their protest if their demands are not met.