PONDA: The Sanjivani sugar factory farmers on Tuesday threatened to on indefinite strike from September 29 if the government failed to provide a written assurance on their three pending demands before September 25.
Panicked over the uncertain future, the farmers led by Rajendra Desai held a meeting in the sugar factory premises, at Dharbandora, wherein they discussed their problems.
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Later, addressing the media persons, Desai demanded that the government provide them a written assurance on their pending demands before September 25 and in case of failure warned to hold “dharna” in front of the sugar factory premises from September 29.
“All these years the government cheated us by making false promises but this time we will not withdraw our agitation on request of the government, minister or MLA until we are given a written promise on our pending demands,” he said.
“Our families are struggling to earn a livelihood due to the pending bills. The loans installments are pending and the banks are insisting us to clear it which were obtained for sugarcane cultivation,” Desai added.
“Our first demand is that the government give us in written about the future of sugar factory. Whether it would operate crushing season or close it,” he said.
He said, “The farmers are fed up with the uncertain future of Sanjivani and want the government to clear its stand whether the factory would run in future or closed permanently.”
“Second, the money assured of Rs 600 per tonne for harvesting of sugarcane is not cleared and still pending. Clear all the pending bills, support price and harvesting cost in absence of which the livelihood of farmers are affected badly,” Desai mentioned.
“The third demand of farmers is the compensation towards standing crop destroyed which the government had assured them last year. So far 2,200 tonnes of sugarcane crop is destroyed in the field and we want compensation towards it as assured by the government,” he added.
“We have no objection if the factory is given to private party for running its operations, but the government is not ready for it. I even informed the government of one private party showing willingness to run the factory in two months time. However, the government told us about the Rs 150 crore loan on sugar factory is pending and so it is not feasible to consider their demand to give it to the private party. The government in interest of the farmers should waive off the loans and allow the factory to operate by private parties in the farmers’ interest,” Desai informed.
He also said that the uncertainty will destroy the farmers. The panicked farmers have lost patience and hence the government should immediately frame policy decision on the factory.
“The farmers are united for the cause,” he added.
