Udupi: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the issues faced by sugarcane growers were a matter of national concern and that discussions were under way with Union ministers to find a solution. He urged farmers to remain patient, stressing that both sugarcane growers and sugar factories needed to survive.
Shivakumar was speaking to reporters during his visit to Sri Mahalakshmi Temple at Uchila in Udupi district.
He said efforts were being made to address the concerns of sugarcane farmers through discussions with the Union government. Emphasising the need to balance the interests of growers and sugar mills, he said a resolution should ensure the sustainability of both sides.
His remarks come amid continuing concerns among sugarcane growers over issues affecting the sector. However, he did not provide details of the discussions with Union ministers or specify a timeline for resolving the concerns.
Shivakumar speaks about Uchila temple visit
During the interaction, Shivakumar also spoke about his visit to the Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, describing the coastal region as sacred and saying that regular visits provided an opportunity to offer prayers and serve the people.
“The coastal region is a sacred land. Visiting here regularly provides an opportunity to offer prayers, serve the people, keep the promises made to them, and resolve their problems. Even if an effort fails, prayer never fails. I have come here because I was invited to the Mahalakshmi Temple,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s visit was part of his tour of the coastal districts, during which he also participated in temple-related programmes.