Sugarcane farmers in Belagavi continued their padayatra on Thursday, heading toward the residence of Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pralhad Joshi in Hubballi. Although they welcomed the central government’s decision to form a committee to review their grievances, the protesters insisted on immediate action rather than waiting for the committee’s findings. The march, which began on Wednesday evening from the Hattargi toll plaza in Hukkeri taluk, saw the group halt for the night at Muktimutt in Belagavi taluk before resuming on Thursday. They are expected to reach the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha area at Halaga by evening and proceed to MK Hubli in Channammana Kittur taluk on Friday.
Chunappa Pujeri, state president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, stated that the farmers would prevent sugar factories from selling sugar if their demands were not met. He emphasized that sugarcane is drying up and the government has the resources to make a decision within hours. Pujeri noted that while the committee is welcome, the drought has caused severe distress, making it impossible for farmers to wait indefinitely. He added that meeting these demands would help prevent recurring protests during every crushing season.
The protest began on Tuesday when farmers from Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Hasiru Sene, and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana blocked traffic at Kognoli checkpost in Nippani taluk, Hattargi toll plaza in Hukkeri taluk, and Hirebagewadi toll plaza in Belagavi taluk. The blockade halted traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway for over 30 hours. After failing to receive a satisfactory response, the farmers withdrew the blockade to launch the march. Their demands include a sugarcane price of Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000 per tonne, an increase in the sugar minimum selling price from Rs 31 to Rs 60, non-discriminatory procurement of ethanol, a higher Fair and Remunerative Price, and implementation of the M S Swaminathan Commission report.
Following a meeting with farmer representatives on October 12, Minister Joshi constituted a five-member committee headed by former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand. The committee will examine issues such as remunerative returns, ex-mill minimum selling prices, sugar recovery rates, sugarcane weighing, mechanized harvesting, financial impacts, and stakeholder consultations.
