Sugarcane crushing period to be extended

Karnataka has decided to extend the sugarcane crushing period being followed by mills, to help farmers.

The decision was taken at the State Executive Committee meeting chaired by Governor Rameshwar Thakur with his advisors P P Prabhu, S Krishna Kumar and P K H Tharakan on Friday.

Thakur said the government is continuing its talks with sugarcane growers and sugarmill owners. "We will take all possible steps to ensure that the entire sugarcane crop in the state is crushed this season. If there is a surplus production of sugar, it will be stocked," he added.

Krishna Kumar told reporters the government is working out a solution in consultation with the government, cooperative and private sugar mills to tide over the crisis wrought by the low prices. Chief Secretary P B Mahishi has been entrusted the job of finding a solution in 10 days.

"This season, crushing will go on till April-end. State's tonnage production is ahead of last year and we will not destroy excess sugar to keep prices high as done during the previous years," he added.

The government is planning to address the liquidity of sugar produced in the state despite the huge carry forward stock lying in godowns. All neighboring states have excess production.

"The development commissioner has been asked to work out a solution with lead banks in the sugar-producing districts to provide working capital and bridge loans so that the mills can continue crushing," said Krishna Kumar.

As for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas in Bagalkot, Dharwad and Gadag, the state government has decided to relocate them and allot houses to people living below the property line and SCs/STs in three villages on a pilot basis.

"The beneficiaries will get 30x40 feet site and assistance will be given to build house in a newly-developed layout with basic infrastructure like road, power and water," he added.