Haveri: The overnight protest by farmer leaders of the District Sugarcane Growers Association, demanding that the govt-announced price of Rs 3,300 per tonne of sugarcane be extended to the sugarcane farmers of Haveri district, completed its second day on Tuesday at Martyr Mylara Mahadevappa Circle in the city.The protest received support from religious leaders, retired soldiers, and Congress leaders. Speaking on behalf of religious leaders, Shivasharan Shivalinga Shivacharya Swami of the Rattihalli Kabbikanthimath said that if farmers express their hardships politely, the govt never takes notice. He suggested protesting directly in front of the homes of the ministers and factory owners. “Even if Rs 3,200 per tonne is given, it will not work out, as the prices of petrol, diesel, food, and groceries are skyrocketing daily,” he added.Hangal MLA Srinivas Mane, who visited the protest site, said the state govt has announced Rs 3,300 based on recovery for the sugarcane farmers of North Karnataka. He urged the chief minister to ensure that this order applies to the people of Haveri district as well. The MLA expressed his commitment to protecting the farmers’ interests, stating that he too, ate food produced by farmers. Amidst the conflict between the govt and sugar factory owners, he said complete justice is not being served to the farmers. District president of the association, Bhuvaneshwar Shidlapur, stated that the govt’s announcement of Rs 3,300 per tonne lacks clarity. Legislators claim that the govt announcement is on recovery rate, showing 9.42% recovery rate in Haveri district. This means farmers here will receive only Rs 2,944, which is unjust to the farmers. Despite two days of protest, no minister has visited yet. From Wednesday, the farmers’ association and sugarcane growers’ association will jointly block the highway, he warned.During this time, many sugarcane farmers and farmer association leaders participated, including Harasuru Bannadmath Abhinavrudra Channamallikarjuna, Shivayogi Shivacharya Swami of Gaurimath, Negalur Gurushanteshwara Swami, farmers’ association leader Mallikarjun Ballari, and others were present.
