Brief
Karnataka CM says state pressuring Centre over sugarcane growers' demands
Shivakumar says the state is pushing the Centre to raise the sugarcane MSP and sugar prices as farmers threaten a renewed march.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters at Belagavi airport on Saturday that Karnataka is exerting pressure on the Union government to meet sugarcane growers' demands, after farmers rejected his appeal to call off their agitation and warned they would resume a "Hubballi Chalo" march.
What happened
Farmers in Belagavi district, near Kittur, have been protesting for higher sugarcane prices and a minimum support price (MSP). They have blocked the Pune‑Bengaluru National Highway for two days and launched a padayatra toward Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence in Hubballi. The chief minister said the protests would continue on Sunday unless the MSP is announced.
What the report adds
The PTI‑quoted statement notes that the issue is not limited to Karnataka; the Centre has set up a committee and is holding discussions with several states. Shivakumar said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who hails from Karnataka, is also in talks with representatives of other states.
What was said
"We are also putting pressure on the Centre to fulfil the farmers’ demands," Shivakumar told reporters, as reported by News18.
Farmer leader Chunappa Pujari said, "If the demand is not met by Sunday afternoon, we will resume our foot march and launch a Hubballi Chalo protest. We will not withdraw our agitation until the MSP is announced," also reported by News18.
How it came about
Shivakumar had appealed to growers on October 15 to remain patient, saying discussions were underway with the Centre and leaders in Maharashtra. He highlighted that the sugarcane issue has persisted for 10‑12 years and that both farmers and sugar mill owners face difficulties. The state had planned a meeting with mill owners that was postponed for unspecified reasons.
Key facts
- Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar said the state is pressuring the Centre to meet sugarcane growers' demands (news18.com)
- Farmers are demanding an MSP of Rs 5,500 per tonne, a sugar price of Rs 60 per kg, and a revision of ethanol prices (news18.com)
- Protesters threatened to resume a "Hubballi Chalo" march on Sunday if demands are not met (news18.com)
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi is holding discussions with representatives of other states on the issue (news18.com)
- The Centre has constituted a committee and is holding discussions with various states about the sugarcane problem (news18.com)
Sources
- [1] news18.com — originally reported as “State exerting pressure on Centre to meet sugarcane growers' demands: K'taka CM”
