Kalaburagi: Farmers’ organisation Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) has announced a district-wide strike in Kalaburagi on February 12, demanding the release of sugarcane incentives, payment of pending dues by sugar mills, crop insurance compensation and a higher minimum support price for red gram, The Hindu reported.
Speaking at a press conference on February 7, KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamashetty said sugarcane is grown on nearly 45,000 hectares in the district, with farmers facing financial strain due to rising input costs.
He claimed that although the State government declared an incentive of ₹50 per tonne in November last year, farmers have yet to receive the payment, even as crushing has been completed on around 28,000 hectares.
Mamashetty also alleged that the Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power sugar factory in Chincholi initially paid ₹2,550 per tonne and later added ₹150, leaving a significant portion unpaid. Under existing rules, the full payment should be made within 14 days, failing which farmers are entitled to interest, he said.
Farmers have also incurred heavy losses due to excessive rainfall, he added. Referring to compensation announced under National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force guidelines, Mamashetty alleged inconsistencies in the distribution of relief and called on the government to ensure compensation matches the extent of crop damage suffered by each farmer.
He further said about 3.01 lakh farmers had paid nearly ₹99 crore in crop insurance premiums, covering approximately 3.78 lakh hectares, and urged authorities to instruct the insurance company to promptly settle pending claims.
In addition to the strike in Kalaburagi city, farmers plan to hold demonstrations at their respective taluk headquarters on February 12. A torchlight procession from Jagat Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office is also scheduled for the same evening.
