Chaos erupted in Central Hall at SVS after factions of farmers traded accusations and almost came to blows
Belagavi: Chief minister DK Shivakumar on Monday told sugarcane farmers his govt cannot announce financial assistance due to lack of adequate funds after hundreds of agitating farmers from Haveri, Dharwad and neighbouring districts laid siege to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and briefly blocked Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) demanding a minimum price of Rs 5,500 per tonne of sugarcane and a state advisory price (SAP) of Rs 1,000.
He said the govt was facing financial constraints and could not make commitments that it would be unable to fulfil later. The govt can spend only what is available in its accounts,” he said. He said govt had already intervened with sugar factories to ensure payments to farmers, though reports suggested that dues were still pending in some areas.
“If money is not available, how can the govt pay? This is not my personal money.
He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among sugar-producing states, including Uttar Pradesh, to build pressure on the Centre for a favourable policy decision.
Shivakumar met with sugar mill owners inside SVS, and preparations were under way for discussions with farmer representatives when a confrontation broke out between supporters of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and Hasiru Sene president Chunappa Pujeri and former organisation president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar.
He said a committee constituted by the Centre was expected to visit on Oct 29 and would hold discussions with both govt and farmers.
The CM said he had personally raised farmers’ concerns with Union govt and held discussions with the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Telangana.