Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.
As per the CM’s travel schedule shared with the media, he is scheduled to arrive in the capital at 1:30 pm, with the meeting expected to take place at 5 pm, according to official sources, reported PTI. Siddaramaiah will return to Bengaluru at 7 pm.
During his discussion with the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister is likely to raise the concerns of sugarcane farmers and seek pending clearances for the Mahadayi and Mekedatu water projects, officials said.
Siddaramaiah had written to the Prime Minister on November 6 requesting an appointment to address the ongoing sugarcane farmers’ protest, during which growers have been demanding an increased price of ₹3,500 per tonne. In his letter, he had argued that the core issues stem from central policy decisions, including the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) formula, stagnant Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar, export restrictions, and inadequate ethanol procurement from sugar-based feedstock.
Recently, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has accused the Karnataka government of making farmers’ lives difficult, while the Centre is implementing proactive measures for their welfare and long-term sustainability. In an open letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, Joshi claimed that the state government’s focus on funding its guarantee schemes has adversely affected farmers. He also highlighted that the absence of new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Karnataka has deprived its sugar factories of a stable revenue stream.
Union Minister stated that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of 355 per quintal for the 2025-26 season, at a 10.25% recovery rate, has been fixed based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). This price provides a margin of over 105% on the cost of production-an unprecedented level of farmer protection. The FRP serves only as a minimum benchmark; States are free to declare a higher State Advised Price (SAP). However, Karnataka has not declared an SAP, leading to farmer grievances that are being unfairly attributed to the Centre.
