Dual pricing for sugar demanded

Their demands include payment of the state advisory price (SAP) of Rs 160 per quintal fixed by the Karn-ataka government and fixation of statutory minimum price (SMP) for the next sugarcane season.

They will also protest against the attitude of the K M Doddi sugar mill management in obtaining a stay against the payment of SAP amount and demand withdrawal of the petition pending before the High Court. The KRRS, on its part, will file a petition before the High Court and seek vacation of the stay after May 26, KRRS President Puttannaiah said here today.

 

Karnataka should fall in line with Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, which have fixed SMP for sugarcane. Besides the various committees appointed by the Centre, the High Court and Supreme Court had also favoured minimum price for sugarcane, he said.

Unlike other commercial crops, he said sugarcane is a long duration crop of 18 months. The Karnataka Government should bear this in mind, give up its pro-sugar industry stand and fix the minimum price for the coming sugarcane season at Rs. 1,545 per tonne now alone.

The Rytha Sangha leader advocated a higher price for major sugar consuming multi-nationals and companies like chocolate, sweet and soft drink manufactures.

"Let the government fix Rs 25 a kg of sugar for these rich companies and make sugar available at Rs 10 a kg to the general public. The farmers will also benefit as they will be assured of SMP," he said.

Puttannaiah said sugar mills in the State were due to the farmers SAP amount totalling Rs 448 crore and cane arrears of about Rs 600 crore. The Sugarcane Control Order stipulated payment of cane price within 14 days and interest for payment delayed after this period. But, these amounts were outstanding for the last 18 months.

He charged that officials were in connivance with the sugar mills and hence the cane growers were denied payments.

Welcoming the enforcement of election code of conduct in a strict manner, the KRRS leader said that the norms should be tightened further in the coming elections.

"Only 50 per cent of the regulations are given effect in this Assembly polls. From next time onwards, the further 50 per cent too should be given effect, so that elections become fair and not farce. The Election Commission should disqualify those who violate the code of conduct in future," he said.

KRRS, he said, supported ban on arrack and wanted criminal cases against all those involved in manufacture and sale of illicit liquor.