Farmers’ talks with Union Minister fails; protest to be held on Oct. 13
Farmers' associations in Karnataka have announced a 'Rasta Roko' protest following failed negotiations with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi regarding sugar and sugarcane pricing. The farmers expressed frustration over the government's refusal to revise the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) despite rising input costs.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing friction between agricultural groups and the Indian government over economic support and pricing policies for cash crops.
Farmers’ associations will hold a ‘Rasta Roko’ protest in Belagavi district on Tuesday, after talks between farmers’ leaders and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi failed in New Delhi on Monday.
Farmers would block the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway in Hattaragi and Hire Bagewadi in Belagavi district on Tuesday. A State-wide protest would be held next month, leaders said in Belagavi on Monday.
“Over 100 representatives of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KSSR), Hasiru Sene, Kabbu Belegarara Okkoota and other farmers’ groups went to New Delhi today to participate in talks with Mr. Joshi. Our main demands were to increase the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar and the Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane, but the Union Minister flatly refused our demands. We have no other option but to resume our protests,” Chunappa Pujeri, KRRS leader, told reporters.
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