Amid intense protests by farmers in parts of North Karnataka over the fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced a meeting with farmer groups and sugar companies on Friday. Stating that the Central Government fixes the FRP, he also said he would seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge him to hike the price.
Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, which discussed the protests, Siddaramaiah said the FRP was fixed in May at Rs 3,550 per tonne for sugarcane that has a sugar recovery rate of 10.25 per cent. For sugarcane with a recovery rate less than 9.5 per cent, the Centre has fixed Rs 3,250 per tonne, he said. This is inclusive of the harvesting and transportation cost, resulting in farmers getting around Rs 500-600 less than the FRP, he added.
The Centre increased the recovery rate from 9.5 per cent in 2017-18 to 10 per cent in 2021-22. Now, it has been increased to 10.5 per cent, Siddaramaiah said. Blaming the Central Government for low sugarcane prices, he accused the Opposition BJP of “using the innocence of farmers to politicise the issue” despite the Centre having a large role in fixing the FRP.
Calling on the farmers to withdraw the protest, which has disrupted normal life in districts such as Belgaum, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura, Siddaramaiah said that he would separately meet farmers and sugar mill owners on Friday.
Meanwhile, addressing a news conference, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi urged the state government to sit with farmers and resolve the issue.
“I don’t want to make accusations and counter-accusations. The state government should hold a meeting with mills and farmers to arrive at an amicable solution, rather than aggravating the issue,” he said.