Belagavi: The farmers under the leadership of Bharatiya Krishik Samaj (Samyukta), District Unit staged a unique protest in front of the DC office by chanting “Bhajani Pada” to exert pressure on the district authority demanding pending sugarcane dues of farmers from two sugar factories.
Farmers blamed the management board of Soubhagyalaxmi Sugar Factory owned by District Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and Shivasagar Sugar Factory for “intentionally” not paying sugarcane bills since the past two years.
“The state government has given an order to the district authority to clear sugarcane bills but it is unfortunate that the district authority is not bothered. Hence we demand legal action against the defaulting sugar factories. The district administration has become a puppet in the hands of the district minister”, alleged President Siddagouda Modagi.
The protest will continue overnight untill the district authority comes forward to help farmers and clear their sugar cane bills, he added.
Prior to this, farmers paid homage to their demised leader MLA Late K S Puttanaiah.