Belagavi: Sugarcane farmers under banner of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangh and Hasiru Sene laid seige the S Nijalingappa Sugar Institute in Belagavi, demanding immediate payment of long-pending sugarcane bills. The agitation was held against sugar factories that have reportedly failed to clear dues running into more than Rs 1,500 crore owed to farmers in the district, The Times of India reported.
The protesters surrounded the institute’s office and raised slogans against sugar factory managements. They urged the sugar commissioner to step in and ensure that farmers receive their payments without delay.
Farmers said the sugarcane price had been fixed at Rs 3,300 per tonne. However, of the 29 sugar factories in Belagavi district, only two have cleared their dues so far. According to officials at the Sugar Institute, the remaining 27 factories together owe more than Rs 1,500 crore to farmers.
Farmer leader Chunappa Pujari alleged that factory owners were deliberately delaying payments. He demanded that the government intervene immediately and clear the pending amounts. “If the dues are not paid, cases should be registered against the factory owners,” he said.
Pujari pointed out that farmers are legally entitled to receive payment within 14 days of supplying sugarcane and urged the authorities to strictly enforce the rule.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the Karnataka Sugar Directorate said sugarcane crushing in the state had increased by 50 lakh tonnes compared to last year. Out of 81 sugar factories in the state, 63 have already completed the crushing season, while 18 factories are still operating.
The official said sugar factories across the state currently owe about Rs 4,700 crore to farmers. Show-cause notices have been issued to factories that have not cleared sugarcane payments.
He added that sugarcane yield has improved this season. Recovery was recorded at 11.1 per cent compared to 10.5 per cent last year, which means farmers are entitled to an additional Rs 180 per tonne. Factories have already been informed about this, he said.
The official also stated that the Sugar Directorate has taken several measures to ensure timely payment to growers, including issuing statutory notices to factories.
Police were deployed outside the commissioner’s office during the protest to maintain order. Farmers warned that they would intensify their agitation if their dues were not cleared soon.
