Prahlad Joshi urges state government to address sugarcane farmers’ demands immediately
Bengaluru: Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Prahlad Joshi, has strongly urged the Karnataka state government to immediately address the demands of sugarcane farmers, emphasizing that any delay in resolving their issues would not be acceptable.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Friday, Joshi insisted that the state government should urgently call for talks with both sugarcane farmers and sugar mill owners to swiftly resolve the ongoing crisis. He criticized the government's inaction, stating that forcing farmers to protest on the streets brings shame to the government. Joshi called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the relevant ministers to intervene directly and resolve the issue without further delay.
"Delaying the legitimate demands of sugarcane farmers is not acceptable. It is wrong for the government to pass the blame onto the Centre, especially when the Centre has already granted several concessions to the sugar industry," Joshi said.
Joshi also pointed out that the Centre had already approved additional sugar exports to support the industry. He confirmed that the government had allowed the export of 1.5 million tons of extra sugar, responding to requests from sugar mills. In addition, the Centre has approved the export of molasses. Furthermore, the Centre has ensured that the farmers receive Rs. 3500 per ton for their sugarcane, as per their demands.
He emphasized that the central government had already paid 99% of the payments to sugar mills and that there was a notable increase in the ethanol production from 35 lakh metric tons in the past year.
Joshi criticized the state government for attempting to shift the blame to the Centre instead of taking action at the state level. "The Centre has made significant efforts to support the sugar industry and farmers, but the state government is playing politics and making excuses," he said.
He also commented on the internal discord within the Congress party, stating, "There are conflicting statements from various Congress leaders in the state. They are just making empty promises and talking about irrelevant things."
Reacting to statements from Congress leaders about a "November Revolution," Joshi said that the remarks signified the government's instability. "When the state government talks about revolution, it is an indication of their own failure to govern effectively. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministers are busy making conflicting statements, and the administration is in complete disarray," Joshi said.
Joshi also remarked on the uncertainty of the so-called November Revolution, stating that while Congress leaders claim to have an agenda, they have failed to show any real commitment to addressing the people's concerns. He urged the state leadership to focus on governance and fulfill their duties in the best interests of the public.
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Businessman lured by FB friend, attacked for extortion in K'taka; 4 held
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
