Date:05/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/05/stories/2007040506290500.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

Sugarcane farmers seek early harvest

Staff Correspondent

Growers stage protest in Bijapur

BIJAPUR: Sugarcane farmers, particularly those from the harvesting area of Jnanayogi Shivakumar Sugars Ltd., a sugar factory at Hirebavanur in Indi taluk, held a protest here on Wednesday seeking early harvest of their crop and a fair deal.

The protesters, led by former director of the factory, Vithal Katakdonda marched to the Deputy Commissioner's Office.

Referring to the Government's direction to the sugar factories in the region to lift sugarcane from the area wherever crop was in surplus, he said the effect was not felt at the ground level.

He said it was the responsibility of the Government to see that all the sugarcane in the region were crushed quickly and farmers got some income. Otherwise, he feared that farmers would be pushed to suicide.

The agitators gave a memorandum to Headquarters Assistant A.M. Khatib on the occasion.

Farmer-leaders Honnappa Metri, S.B. Kappenavar, Sidramappa Biradar and B.P Saranadagouda were among those who took part.