Mysuru: Farmers would lay siege to Sugar and Cane Development Commissioner’s Officer in Bengaluru if the dues to farmers from Sugar factories was not paid by May 25.

Announcing this at a press meet at Pathrakartara Bhavan here yesterday State Sugar Cane Growers Association President Kurubur Shantakumar disclosed that 67 sugar factories in the State owe Rs. 4,000 crore dues to Sugarcane growers.

He said that the factory managements were delaying payment on some pretext or the other. He urged the Government to intervene and resolve the issue.

Continuing, Shantakumar said that a meeting of farmers has been organised on May 20 at 3 pm at Chetan Garden in city to chalk out a programme to draw the government’s attention to farmers’ problems. The same day at 11.30 am IMF Chief Economist Dr. Gita Gopinath would be felicitated at JSS Centenary Hall here under the gracious presence of Suttur Seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamji. Association organising Secretary Devaraj, District working President Bhagyaraj, General Secretary Shankar and other were present.