Karnataka - Mysore

MPs urged to oppose amendment to Sugar Act

MYSORE: Rajya Kabbu Belegarara Sangha (RKBS) has urged the Members of Parliament representing the State to oppose the proposed amendments to the Sugar Control Act 1966. The sangha believes it is detrimental to the interests of sugarcane growers.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, President RKBS Kuruburu Shanthakumar said the Union Government had proposed amendments to the Sugar Control Act and was all set to table it in Parliament on November 19.

It proposes to scrap the present system of fixing Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) and 50 per cent of benefits that accrue from the byproducts of cane.

Instead it proposes to introduce Fair Remunerative Price (FRP) to compensate the farmers, he said.

He added that the proposed amendment would be against the interest of sugarcane growers in the State and it was the responsibility of the MPs to oppose it tooth and nail when it is presented in Parliament. Taking serious exception to the fixing of Rs. 1, 290 as FRP, he said the Government had fixed the FRP arbitrarily without the consent of the growers.

Mr. Shanthakumar said that while sugar factories in north Karnataka, especially in Bagalkot and Belgaum districts, were prepared to pay Rs. 2,000 a tonne, excluding cutting and transport cost, the Centre’s FRP of Rs.1, 290 was ridiculous and showed the apathy of the government towards farmers.

He said the RKBS would demand Rs. 2,500 a tonne as FRP, excluding cutting and transportation cost, and it would direct the district units of the sangha to demand the same from the factories in their regions.

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