Mysore/Mysuru:  Demanding a hike in FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price) for sugarcane, farmers will stage an indefinite stir in front of the residence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at Bengaluru from Nov. 22

Addressing a press meet at Jaladarshini Guest House here on Friday, State Sugarcane Growers Association President Kurubur Shantakumar said that several demonstrations were held earlier urging the authorities to address the problems of sugarcane growers, following which CM Bommai had assured of addressing the problems. Even the Sugar Minister had promised ‘sweet news’ on FRP to farmers by Nov.20. But since then, nothing susbstantial had taken place with no announcement on FRP hike, he said. As such there is no choice for sugarcane growers  other than staging a stir in front of the CM’s house, he noted.

Demanding a minimum FRP of Rs.3,500 per tonne of sugarcane, Shantakumar also maintained that the prolonged delay in sugarcane cutting had resulted in lesser yield and loss to the farmers. Urging the Sugar factories to cut down cane transportation costs in keeping with Government guidelines, he wanted the Government to ask the Sugar factories to implement its (Government) guidelines on cane crushing and farmer payments.

Association office-bearers P. Somashekar, Baradanapura Nagaraj, Venkatesh and Mahadevaswamy were present at the press meet.