Sugarcane farmers call bandh in Belagavi over pricing demands
Protests in Belagavi district disrupted commercial activity as growers demand Rs 5,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Sugarcane growers held a bandh in Belagavi district on October 31 to demand a price of Rs 5,500 per tonne for their produce, according to The Hindu. The protest led to the suspension of commercial activity in several taluk headquarters, including Hukkeri, Raibag, Mudalagi, Athani, Nipani, and Chikkodi.
Protesters briefly stopped buses from leaving the Central Bus Stand in Belagavi, resulting in a scuffle with police. Farmers also blocked roads at various locations, which inconvenienced devotees travelling to temples. While Belagavi saw disruptions, protests in Dharwad, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Haveri, and Gadag districts were largely symbolic.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Chunappa Pujeri had called for the statewide bandh, appealing to various groups to participate. Pujeri stated that farmers had expected Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to visit the Hattargi toll plaza to announce financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per tonne and a factory price of Rs 4,500 per tonne.
Chief Minister Shivakumar appealed for calm, noting that an understanding was reached during a meeting on October 26. He said that sugar factories are unable to pay higher procurement rates unless the Union Government revises the price of sugar. He added that he has contacted the Prime Minister’s Office regarding this matter.