Yogesh K Porwar
*Action also necessary for the survival of factories.
*Support for farmers’ struggle.
*Central assistance necessary for drought relief.
“After Dasara, within next week,I will convene a meeting of sugar factory owners,farmer leaders,and central officials.
I ask the farmers with folded hands to withdraw the protest,”appealed CM D.K.Shivakumar to the protesting farmers.
Shivakumar met and spoke with the sugarcane growers who were undertaking a march demanding an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price/Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane in Kittur, Belagavi,on Saturday.
“Efforts will be made to meet the Central Minister and resolve the farmers’ problems.The state government alone cannot solve the farmers’ issues.
The central government, banks,and sugar factory owners also have a role in this.A permanent solution can only be found when everyone sits together and discuss,” he said.
“I am ready to come wherever the farmers call me. I am thinking on your behalf.I am ready to sleep on the street alongside you.I will sleep on the mat you give me.I will accept the roti you offer,”he said.
“Farmers are our gods.You are the ones who nurture and raise us.Farmers have no salary, no pension,no promotion.
The government must join hands for the security of your life.I have come from Bengaluru to Kittur to understand your problems.I have understood the pain and hardship of your struggle,”he stated.
“I have already spoken to farmer leader Choonappa Pujari over the phone and gathered information about the issues.
The Ministers for Cooperation,Agriculture, and Sugar were sent to Delhi to hold discussions with the concerned authorities.I too have spoken with the Sugar Minister and gathered details about the farmers’ distress,”he said.
Action also necessary for the survival of factories:
“There are several issues regarding the management of sugar factories and fixing the sugarcane price.Factory owners are expressing their hardship citing losses, power purchase,production costs,and variations in regulatory systems in other states.
A situation has arisen where some factories cannot even be run.I have questioned the sugar factory owners regarding this,”he said.
“Efforts were made to solve the factories’ issues during the previous Siddaramaiah-led government as well.Even now, a situation where factories close down should not arise.
Only if the factories survive will it benefit the farmers. Therefore,a solution needs to be found keeping the interest of both farmers and factory owners in mind,” he said.
“Discussion will be held in the meeting regarding how assistance can be provided,including sugarcane price and minimum support price (MSP).
We will also meet the central government ministers and submit a petition on behalf of the farmers,”he assured.
Support for farmers’ struggle:
“The government has recognized the unity and strength of the farmers’ struggle.The voice of the farmers has reached from Vidhana Soudha to Delhi.
There is no question of neglecting your issues.Farmers do not belong to any single political party.Protecting the welfare of farmers is everyone’s responsibility,”he said.
“Rather than engaging in political allegations and counter-allegations, solving the people’s problems is important.
Everyone must work together to find solutions to the farmers’problems.Factory owners must also understand the pain of the farmers. We must understand the problems of the factories as well,”he said.
Appeal for peaceful protest :
“Farmers have carried out the struggle successfully so far and brought their demands to the government’s notice.Farmers should stay away from incidents that could lead to legal conflict,” he requested.
“I am ready to discuss with you until your problem is resolved. You have placed faith in me. Keeping that faith is my responsibility. I have come to meet you solely with the intention that the farmers’ issues must be resolved,” he said.
Central assistance necessary for drought relief :
“There is severe drought in the state,and farmers are facing hardship.Drought has been declared across the state.
Time has been requested for a meeting with the Prime Minister for drought relief,and a petition will also be submitted to the Union Home Minister requesting the necessary assistance for the state,”he said.
“During a drought situation, the central and state governments must function with mutual cooperation.All political parties must stand together when it comes to providing relief for the distress of farmers,” he said.
“The state government is spending around ₹22,000 crore annually to supply electricity to farmers. People are being provided assistance through the five guarantee schemes.
Nevertheless,in the present situation, everyone’s cooperation is required to resolve the issues of farmers and agriculture-based industries,”he informed.
