State-level convention of cane growers at K’buragi on Sept 29, 30
The All-India Sugarcane Growers Association will hold a state-level convention in Kalaburagi on September 29-30, with leaders from multiple states attending. Discussions will focus on the sugarcane industry and measures for farmers’ benefit. Coordinator NL Bharatraj criticized the government for neglecting farmers’ interests, demanding an FRP of ₹5,370 per tonne based on the MS Swaminathan Committee report.
Belagavi: National-level committee of the All-India Sugarcane Growers Association has decided to organise a state-level convention at Kalaburagi on Sept 29 and 30.Addressing the press conference here on Wednesday, the coordinator of the state association, NL Bharatraj, said although it’s a state-level convention, leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu will attend the convention and address the gathering.
Bharatraj said discussions about the current scenario of the sugarcane industry and proposed measures to be taken in favour of sugarcane farmers will be discussed at the convention.He alleged that by joining hands with the sugar factory management, the central and state govts are deceiving the sugarcane farmers. “The Centre would have fixed Rs 5,000 as fair remuneration price (FRP) per tonne if it had concerns about the farmers. In 1994-95, FRP used to be fixed on 8.5% recovery of sugar.
Later, it was changed to 9.5% recovery and now it has been increased to 10.25%. The Centre should announce Rs 5,370 FRP by implementing the MS Swaminathan Committee report,” he demanded. “Bharatraj said most of the sugar factories in the state are owned by MLAs and ministers belonging to different political parties. Due to this, they are not being allowed to fix state-advised prices (SAP) based on the by-products of the sugarcane,” he alleged.Farmer leaders Sidagouda Modagi, BS Soppin, GM Jainekhan, and Chandragouda Patil were present.
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