Sugarcane farmers end highway blockade, launch 125-km march to Hubballi
Karnataka sugarcane farmers called off their two-day highway blockade but launched a 125-km march to Hubballi, seeking Union government intervention. They demand ₹5,500 per tonne for sugarcane, a ₹60/kg sugar MSP, timely payments, transparent weighing and recovery assessments, and a share of mills’ byproduct revenue.
Sugarcane farmers have called off their two-day road blockade demanding higher sugarcane prices and an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar. However, they have announced a 125-km ‘Hubballi Chalo padayatra’ to the hometown of Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi, seeking intervention in their demands, The Hindu reported.
The farmers decided to withdraw the blockade on Wednesday night, citing public interest, and instead take their protest to the Union Minister’s hometown. Following the decision, police began clearing one side of the six-lane Pune-Bengaluru National Highway, allowing vehicles to pass in a regulated manner. Traffic was expected to be fully restored by midnight, the report said.
Farmer leaders Chunappa Pujeri, Shashikant Padasalagi Guruji and others began the march from Hattargi Toll Plaza towards Hubballi. The protesters are travelling along one side of the highway, raising slogans against the Union Minister and demanding remunerative prices for sugarcane.
The decision to end the road blockade followed discussions with Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, who assured the farmers that their concerns would be conveyed to the Union government and that the state administration would take steps to address their grievances.
The Deputy Commissioner also arranged a telephone conversation between the farmers and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The Chief Minister assured them of the state government’s support and said it would take steps to safeguard farmers’ interests, official sources said.
The farmers are seeking a revision in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane and the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar. Their key demands include a sugarcane price of Rs 5,500 per tonne and an MSP of Rs 60 per kg for sugar.
They have also called for separate sugar pricing for domestic consumption and industrial use, stricter implementation of the Sugar Control Order and timely payments to cane growers. Other demands include state-supervised harvesting, weighing and sugar recovery assessment at factories, along with a share in the revenue generated by sugar mills from the sale of byproducts.
Pujeri said the march would take three to four days, with the protesters planning to stop at Kakati, Bagewadi, Kittur and Dharwad to address local farmers and mobilise support.
The farmers expect the Union government to respond to their demands before the march reaches Hubballi. They have indicated that the agitation will continue until their concerns receive a satisfactory response.
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Source : ChiniMandi
