Latest news with #StateSugarcaneGrowers'Association
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers hit out at Central and Karnataka governments over urea crisis
The Karnataka president of the Federation of Farmers' Associations Kurubur Shanthakumar on Wednesday inaugurated the Farmers' Awareness Convention here by waving the green flag. Speaking on the occasion, he strongly criticised both the Central and State governments for failing to supply sufficient urea fertiliser to farmers. 'It is the duty of the governments to provide seeds and fertilisers to farmers on time, as they are the ones who supply food to the nation. But, instead of fulfilling this duty, representatives of both governments are blaming each other to divert attention,' he alleged. Mr. Shanthakumar said that a massive farmers' rally will be held in Delhi on August 25 to press for a charter of demands. These include, 'Enactment of a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce; exclusion of agriculture, dairy, and poultry sectors from the India-USA trade agreement; complete waiver of all farm loans; withdrawal of all police cases filed during the Delhi farmers' protest, and halting the acquisition of fertile agricultural land for industrial use. Presiding over the convention, State Sugarcane Growers' Association Treasurer M.B. Chetan said that the association has fought for farmers' rights since its inception. It is through such struggles that leaders like Shanthakumar have earned respect for their principled stands. Mr. Shanthkumar had met with an accident in New Delhi when went there to participate in the farmers' agitation. He was hospitalised for a long time after undergoing a surgery. This marked his first meeting after recovering from the incident. On the occasion, one Hundi Siddappa recalled visiting Mr. Shanthakumar in the hospital. 'We were deeply worried seeing him in that condition. It is heartening to see him recover and participate in this event. We hope he continues to work for the betterment of farmers.' Journalist Jayanth also spoke at the event. District general secretary Baradanapura Nagaraj, district president Kirasuru Shankar, State organising secretary Attahalli Devaraj, retired principal Mahadevayya, social activist Vasantkumar Mysoremath, former Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Chandrashekhar, and others were present. More than 300 farmers and leaders of various organisations took part in the convention.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers seek compensation for loss of land to power transmission lines
Representatives of the State Sugarcane Growers' Association met Energy Minister K J George on Wednesday seeking a fair compensation for the loss of cultivable land due to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) drawing power transmission cables and installation of towers. In a memorandum submitted to the Minister, association's oganisational secretary Attahalli Devaraj said high voltage 66/11 KV and 220 KV power transmission lines of KPTCL passed over agricultural lands, resulting in loss of cultivable area for many farmers. The transmission lines from KPTCL Mini Station in Gejjeyanavaddaragudi in Hunsur sub division passed through several villages, including Dharmapura, Karimuddanahalli, Aspatre Kaval, Basti Maranahalli, Hallada Koppalu, Udduru Kaval, Tarikal and other areas in Hunsur. These power transmission lines and towers built on the land have not been accompanied by any clear steps regarding compensation to the affected farmers, the association said. 'In response to an RTI application, the officials have claimed that land rates were fixed during a meeting held with farmers in March 2024. But, when asked which specific farmers or land owners attended the meeting, the officials said no farmers had agreed to be present at the meeting. This clearly indicates that the farmers were not part of the decision-making exercise and fair land rate had not been determined', Mr. Devaraj alleged, while contending that the authorities had held meetings on the issue without bringing it to the notice of the land-owning farmers or seeking their consent. The association sought to bring to the Minister's notice that the market rate of the land in the region was ₹2 lakh per gunta. Hence, a fair rate should be determined for the land and an appropriate compensation amount should be fixed. The farmers' body also contended that the transmission lines had already been electrified without the farmers' consent. The association pointed out that farmers in villages such as Koodanahalli, Devalapura, Marasettihalli, Joranahalli, Varuna and Vajamangala too had not been adequately compensated while drawing the 220 KV line from Kadakola to Vajamangala in Mysuru taluk. 'Their lands lie near layouts where land prices range between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh per gunta, while the department quotes only ₹50,000 to ₹60,000', Mr. Devaraj said in the memorandum. Irrigation pumpsets The association urged the government to discontinue the policy of Aadhaar-linked registration and meter installation for irrigation pumpsets. The irrigation pumpsets of farmers should be regularised upon payment of ₹5,000, the association said. For lands that had been affected by power transmission lines, the government should provide free electricity connections for irrigation pumpsets, it added.
