Haliyal: The strike call given by Haliyal Sugarcane Growers Association received a good response from the farmers of Haliyal and Kalaghatagi on 17th July, Monday.

The farmers have been demanding at least Rs 3,000 per tonne of sugarcane this season. They also want the state government to fix the state-advised price (SAP) for the cane at the earliest. On Monday, a large number of cane growers blocked the road at Shivaji Circle here for over an hour shouting slogans demanding immediate settlement of their demands.

Nijaguni Kelageri, general secretary of State Cane Growers Association, S N Banavannavar, another state-level farmer leader, and others addressed the farmers and declared that their strike would continue till the demands are settled.

Venkatarao, MD of EID Parry Sugars in Haliyal, made it clear to the farmers that the Haliyal mill can finalise the price of cane only when the Sugar Commissioner of Bengaluru conveys them the final rate. “We cannot on our own decide about it,” he added.

Tahsildar Vidyadhar Gulguli promised the agitators that the district administration would not hesitate to take action against the sugar mill, if it fails to follow the government decision vis-a-vis the SAP. The leaders of the farmers finally announced that the stir would be intensified after waiting for the government decision till July 31.