Farmers threaten agitation against sugar co-operatives

Shetakari Sanghatana activists have threatened to resort to massive agitation against sugar co-operatives that have failed to pay the second instalment of Rs 380 a tonne of sugarcane despite signing the agreement in front of government officials after the earlier agitation.

Agitation previously took place during the start of the last season.

According to the agreement between Shetakari Sanghatana leaders and heads of sugar co-operatives before the Kolhapur collector and officials of the Directorate of Sugar in November last, the second instalment was to be paid within six months.

But most sugar co-operatives have not paid the same even after the period is over. So the Swabhimani Shetakari Sanghtana (SSS) has decided to start massive agitation against the co-operatives and lock the district collector's office at Kolhapur if the payment is further delayed.

In view of the threat, a meeting was held yesterday. The managing directors of the sugar co-operatives said since prices had come down below the Rs 1,800 level it was not possible to pay as per the signed agreement.

SSS Chief Raju Shetty staged a walkout in protest against the nonchalance of the co operatives as they instead of sending their chiefs were represented by the officials having no authority to take any decision.

While leaving the meeting, he threatened to start serious agitation against the sugar barons, who are now engaged in campaigns for elections to Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads.

The SSS agitation has special significance as Shetty, an MLA, has decided to contest considerable number of seats in the coming Panchayat and Zilla Parishad elections.

He has appealed to farmers "� who will give their voters in various regions "� to remove political leaders from the key posts in Panchayat and Zilla Parishad seats in order to ensure that farmers can have their own voice and decision-making power for the development of rural areas.

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BOILING OVER

Sugar co-operatives have failed to pay the second instalment of Rs 380 a tonne of sugarcane

According to the agreement between Shetakari Sanghatana leaders and heads of sugar co-operatives in November last, the second instalment was to be paid within six months.

Sugar co-operatives said since prices had come down below the Rs 1,800 level, it was not possible to pay as per the signed agreement