SANGUEM
Disappointed over the State government’s delay in fulfilling their assurances, sugarcane cultivators from Sanguem have now sought clarity from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on two of their main demands by September 25.
In a memorandum which was addressed to the chief minister, but presented to Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, the sugarcane cultivators requested the government to pay them compensation to be calculated at the rate of Rs 3,600 per tonne if the government failed to get their crop harvested in the coming season in November.
The amount to be paid to the sugarcane cultivators shall be calculated after taking farmers and officials from the agriculture department into confidence, states the memorandum.
The sugarcane cultivators have also demanded a lumpsum compensation to be calculated at the rate of 30 tonnes per acre for 10 long years if the government intends in permanently closing down the Sanjivani Sugar Factory.
Addressing the delegation, Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar assured the farmers to look into their grievances and to arriving at an amicable settlement at the earliest.
Kavlekar also assured the sugarcane farmers of paying them the harvesting charges of the previous season, which had not been done due to various reasons.
He said the government would also look into grievances of sugarcane cultivators who could not harvest their produce in the last season for want of labour, adding that he has been frequently in touch with the chief minister on issues pertaining to sugarcane farmers in the State.
The delegation is also reported to have had a telephonic interaction with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and he assured to convene a meeting with the sugarcane cultivators after he resumes office on expiry of his home quarantine period, in view of having tested positive for Covid.
