BJP stages dharna in Assembly on sugarcane dues to farmers

Opposition BJP today staged a dharna in the Assembly demanding action by the government for clearance of dues by sugar factories to cane growers.
As the assembly met, BJP MLAs entered the well of the House, demanding immediate payment of dues to farmers.
Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar said, "government has to understand sugarcane farmer's problems; they have to take action against the factories so that they pay back the dues."
There was a heated argument between BJP members and Congress' Shivamurthy Naik, as he defended the government when opposition members called it 'anti-farmer'.
Basavaraja Bommai of the BJP said the government is not making any attempts to get farmers their dues back and it has to sent a message to the factories that they are on farmer's side.

BJP leader Govinda Karajola said Rs 1,700 crore of dues was yet to be paid by the factories to the farmers and government was silent without taking any action.

"How can this continue," he questioned.
As Shivamurthy Naik of the Congress tried to defend government by questioning the BJP MLAs who are sugar factory owners, BJP MLA Laxman Savadi said government could take action against those who are not obeying orders about repayment, "whether they are from our side or the government's side."
BJP MLA R Ashoka said ministers are not responding and instead MLAs were trying to defend the government. Information Minister Roshan Baig responded stating the concerned minister and the Chief Minister were in the Legislative Council.

The BJP raised objection to this, saying they won't withdraw their protest unless they get some assurance from government following which the Deputy Speaker Shivashankar Reddy adjourned the House for five minutes.
As the House resumed, BJP members entered the well and Shettar demanded an assurance from the government.
Power Minister D K Shivakumar said government is committed to get farmers their money back from the factories and promised that steps will be taken. Following the government's assurance, BJP members withdrew their protest.