Belagavi : Amid the ongoing debate among farmer leaders over the recent agitation seeking an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of sugar from Rs 31 to Rs 60 per kg, CM DK Shivakumar will convene a joint meeting of farmer representatives, sugar factory owners and government officials at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) on Oct 26.
The agitation, led by Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene president Chunappa Pujeri and honorary president Shashikant Padasalagi, witnessed thousands of farmers blocking the Pune-Bengaluru national highway at the Hattaragi and Hirebagewadi toll plazas on Oct 13 and 15. The protesters later withdrew the highway blockade and launched a padayatra towards Hubballi, demanding intervention from Union minister Pralhad Joshi.
Meanwhile, the demand raised by the Pujeri-led faction for increasing the MSP of sugar to Rs 60 per kg has triggered a debate within farmer circles. He also urged the CM to announce an additional State Advised Price of Rs 1,000 per tonne for sugarcane.
Defending the demand, Pujeri said sugar factories often resist higher cane prices by citing fluctuations in sugar market rates. Former KRRS president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar criticised the demand, saying farmers are being misled.