SANGUEM
Sugarcane cultivators from Sanguem and other talukas began their indefinite agitation at Sanguem outside the Sanguem deputy collector’s office on Saturday, to protest against the government’s failure to address their pending demands.
The sugarcane cultivators are upset with the government for having failed to reply to their memorandum on December 23, giving a 10-day ultimatum to the government for a written assurance to compensate their standing crops at the rate of Rs 3,600 per tonne.
Uus Utpadak Sangarsh Samiti Chairman Kushta Gaonkar said the sugarcane cultivators would not withdraw their agitation until the government gave a written assurance to solve their demands.
“Despite providing a period of 10 days, the government failed to consider our demands and this has led the sugarcane cultivators to begin an indefinite agitation,” said Gaonkar.
Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar tried to persuade the sugarcane cultivators to withdraw their agitation.
Kavlekar said he would speak to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and appealed to farmers to give the government time till Tuesday to offer a solution to their demands.
Gaonkar acknowledged Kavlekar’s presence at the agitation but requested the Deputy CM not to persuade the sugarcane cultivators to withdraw their agitation, as the government had repeatedly failed to resolve their grievances.
The sugarcane cultivators were firm on continuing with their agitation till their demands are fulfilled.
Uus Utpadak Sangarsh Samiti Vice-Chairman Chandan Unandkar told Kavlekar that the aggrieved cultivators had been repeatedly demanding written assurances from the government.
“The government has only given us verbal assurances and even those assurances have not been honoured,” complained Unandkar.
Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, who was also present at the agitation, highlighted the problems faced by sugarcane cultivators in the State following the closure of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory and pledged his support to the agitating cultivators.
Earlier in the morning, the sugarcane cultivators offered prayers at the Paildev Temple in Sanguem and took part in a procession in Sanguem town.
Food and refreshments were provided to the agitators, who had contributed towards these arrangements.
Many women had taken part in the agitation during the day and they were advised to return home in the evening. The men continued with their protest on Saturday night.
