Date:10/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/10/stories/2008021050090600.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Farmers’ body threatens agitation

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Uttara Karnataka Pradesh Raitha Sangha has threatened to launch an agitation if the grievances of sugarcane growers and other farmers are not redressed by Governor Rameshwar Thakur before Monday as promised by him.

S.R. Swamy, founder president of the sangha, told presspersons here on Friday that several problems of farmers remained unsolved. The irrigation projects in the State were behind schedule. The decision of successive governments with regard to sugar factories were going against the interests of sugarcane growers.

In Koppal taluk, the district administration was acquiring agricultural lands for constructing a hospital in spite of opposition from farmers.

Dr. Swamy said the sangha would call for a Koppal bandh on February 14.

He said that from Hospet up to 12 km on the National Highway 13, there was heavy traffic and the travelling time took hours together. He recalled that Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K.H. Muniyappa had promised in June 2006 that a tender would be called for construction of a four-lane road from Hospet to Bijapur and it would be ready in 18 months, but the work was yet to be started.