Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Guarantees Swift Payment of Sugarcane Dues to Farmers
In a significant development for the agricultural community in Mysuru, Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy provided concrete assurances to sugarcane growers regarding long-pending financial dues. During a crucial meeting held on Tuesday, the DC confirmed that the outstanding payment of Rs 100 per tonne, which is a joint responsibility of the state government and sugar factories, will be directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts within the next fifteen days.
Breakdown of Payment Structure and Timeline
Addressing representatives from sugarcane growers and the management of Bannari Amman Sugar Factory, Reddy outlined the precise distribution of this payment. The state government will release Rs 50 per tonne, while the sugar factory is mandated to pay the remaining Rs 50 within the same stipulated period. The DC emphasized that funds have already been prioritized and released to the Mysuru district, with district-level administrative procedures expected to be completed in approximately two weeks, ensuring no further delays.
Addressing Farmer Grievances and Ensuring Transparency
In response to serious allegations from growers concerning irregularities in recovery and yield assessment, the Deputy Commissioner announced proactive measures. Surprise inspections will be conducted during the crushing season, with on-the-spot tests carried out in the presence of farmers' representatives to guarantee fairness and accuracy. This move aims to build trust and eliminate any potential malpractices in the evaluation process.
Streamlining Harvesting and Operational Procedures
To enhance efficiency and reduce confusion in harvesting operations, Reddy revealed that official harvest dates will now be fixed on a farmer-wise basis by the tahsildar's office. The details of these schedules will be:
- Displayed prominently at farmer contact centres
- Posted on Nada Kacheri notice boards
- Shared directly with farmer organizations for wider dissemination
For special circumstances, such as disease or pest attacks before crop maturity, permission for early harvesting will be granted following a thorough inspection by the joint director of agriculture, ensuring flexibility in crisis situations.
Improvements in Weighing and Logistics
Responding to persistent complaints about delays in weighing and inconvenient locations of weighbridges, the DC issued clear directives to the factory management. He instructed them to examine the feasibility of shifting the weighing machine closer to the factory entrance to expedite the process. Additionally, the management has been ordered to issue entry slips immediately upon vehicle arrival, followed by prompt weighing slips, thereby minimizing waiting times and logistical bottlenecks.
Key Attendees and Broader Implications
The meeting saw the presence of notable figures including Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers' Association president Kuraburu Shanthakumar and ZP CEO Ukesh Kumar, underscoring the collaborative effort to resolve these issues. This comprehensive approach by the Mysuru administration not only addresses immediate financial concerns but also implements structural reforms to improve the entire sugarcane supply chain, potentially setting a precedent for other agricultural districts in Karnataka.
