Congress Ministers blame Centre for problems faced by sugarcane, maize farmers in Karnataka

Ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao, N. Cheluvarayaswamy and Madhu Bangarappa have blamed the Union Government for the problems plaguing farmers in Karnataka, particularly sugarcane and maize growers.

Speaking to press persons separately in Belagavi on December 8, the Ministers accused the Union Government of imparting step-motherly treatment to Karnataka.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that problems were bound to come up during every government. “There are problems at both State and central level. While the Congress government believes in responding to the problems, the Union Government led by BJP is meting out injustice to the people of Karnataka,” he alleged.

He accused the Centre of duping maize farmers of Karnataka by not giving requisite minimum support price.

Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy said around 50 lakh MT of maize had been cultivated in Karnataka. But, even after writing to the Centre for procurement of maize under MSP, no permission was given for procurement, he alleged.

While the State Government had taken steps to resolve the problems faced by sugarcane farmers, steps were also being taken to address problems of maize growers. “The Chief Minister has asked distilleries to procure maize for ethanol production. The transportation cost is being borne by the State Government,” he said.

School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa alleged that the BJP MPs and leaders had not raised the issue of FRP for sugarcane and MSP for maize with the Union Government. He mocked BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra for what he termed as ‘drama’ of going and sleeping at the protest site of the sugarcane farmers, and sought to know whether he was able to give justice to the farmers. “It was Congress government which provide the relief to the farmers,” he said.