Sugarcane growers’ forum to conduct walkathon

Dharwad: The Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association will organise ‘Raithara Nadige, Jagruti Kadege’ (Farmers’ march towards awareness) in all villages to create awareness on ‘political parties’ apathy’ towards the problems of farmers.
President of the association Kurubur Shantkumar said here on Thursday that they had placed a charter of demands and were ready to support the party that agrees to fulfil them and includes them in its manifesto.
“Since no political party came forward to show its commitment towards fulfilling our demands, the farmers will be asked to question the candidates contesting assembly elections. The jatha that will be taken up in all villages will continue till April 30,” he said.
Shanthkumar said criminals, land sharks, sugar barons and those running educational institutions contest the elections spending huge money and then exploiting people.
“Why are the political parties seeking farmers’ votes are not showing commitment towards solving their problems?” he asked.
He said the farmers have the capacity to defeat candidates and topple governments and political leaders should understand this.
Enactment of law to ensure minimum support price for all crops based on Dr Swaminathan’s recommendations, income guarantee scheme for farmers, uninterrupted supply of power for 12 hours to farmers during the day, a complete waiver of farmers’ loans, interest-free loans to farmers by all nationalised banks without considering CIBIL score, extension of Fasal Bima Yojana to all crops, fixing of fair remunerative price for standing crop of sugarcane and permission to farmers to produce ethanol and use it as fuel for tractors - are some of the major demands of the farmers.