Hyderabad, December 08: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday stated that the government would appoint a permanent commission to look into problems of Sugarcane farmers.
Addressing the Sugarcane farmers from Medak district at his Camp Office where they came to seek assistance from his government, Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the government had released Rs 65 crore to sugar factories to clear dues of farmers. He said that the government was planning to announce a special package for sugarcane factories to rescue the farmers.
In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the sugarcane farmers demanded that the government increase the minimum support price for their produce from Rs 2,000 per tonne to Rs 2,500 and bear the transport cost for carrying cane to factories for crushing. They also demanded withdrawal of 5 per cent VAT on sugarcane, cutting and factory expenses, revival of the Bhargava formula (Clause 5A) and free distribution of 1 kg of sugar to farmers by factories.
Further, they also demanded subsidized fertilizers and pesticides, share in profits in second quality sugar produced, payment by factories within 15 days and payment of interest in case of delay and implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations.
The Chief Minister assured the farmers that he would take a decision on their demands after convening a meeting with the officials concerned.
——Agencies