SANGUEM: The Uus Utpadak Sangarsh Samiti, Sanguem on Thursday confirmed that it will stage an agitation in front of Sanguem Deputy Collector’s Office from January 2, at 10 am.
Addressing a press conference, Samiti President Kushta Gaonkar said, “The agitation will be peaceful by all means and will be withdrawn only after a written assurance from the government over the modalities of payment for standing crop to sugarcane farmers till the time Sanjivani Sugar Factory is made operational.”
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Gaonkar informed that prior to sitting for an agitation in front of the Deputy Collector’s Office, the sugarcane cultivators will seek the blessings of Lord Paikdev and later march to the Deputy Collector’s Office from Government Sports Complex, at Khairikanttem.
He said that the Samiti had submitted a representation to the government and other concerned ministers on December 23 giving them 10 days to give in writing the modalities the government has worked to compensate the sugarcane farmers with regards to the temporary closure of Sanjivani.
He said, “The government has failed to consider the demand of the sugarcane farmers who are left in the lurch since the closure of factory and this ultimately has compelled the farmers to stage an agitation from January 2.”
Gaonkar said sugarcane growers from across the State will participate in the agitation in large number.
Samiti Secretary Chandan Unandkar alleged that the government along with the “Shetkari Sanghatna” is playing with the sentiments of sugarcane farmers in Goa.
Unandkar said the “Shetkari Sanghatna” which is supposed to work for the development and upliftment of the farmers has now become a toy in the hands of the government. The Sanghatna changes its moods and decisions at the behest of the government rather than taking the farmers into confidence.
“It is solely on account of the failure of the “Shetkari Sanghatna” to press for the demands of the sugarcane cultivators before the government that the new committee under the banner of “Uus Utpadak Sangarsh Samiti” has been formed,” claimed Unandkar.
He said, “The sugarcane farmers from across the State have demanded compensation of Rs 3600 per tonne for standing crop and the same shall be paid and calculated on the basis of highest average of the sugarcane supply by each individual farmer to the factory during the last decade.
However, the government has reportedly fixed a diminishing figure of Rs 3,000 in the first year, 2,800 in the second year and 2,500 in the third year. This is highly unacceptable considering the fact that the cost of production goes on increasing each year.”
“We don’t understand the basis for the diminishing figures,” claimed Unandkar and added that whatever say the government has towards the demands made by the sugarcane farmers should be put in writing and forwarded to the Samiti.
“We have been demanding the written assurance since last many months but the government has failed to meet the demands made by the farmers association, ultimately forcing the farmers to resort to agitation,” he said.
“The farmers participating in the agitation will carry their lunch and dinner packets and will continue to sit for agitation till the time the government gives in writing the decision it has taken on farmers’ demands,” he added.
