SANGUEM
With the indefinite agitation by sugarcane cultivators at Sanguem continuing for the fourth day, efforts are now underway by government officials to end the agitation, amid reports that the government had accepted three of four demands put forth by the striking farmers.
According to sources, the government has invited the committee members of the agitating sugarcane farmers for a meeting in Panaji to discuss the fourth demand which remains unsolved.
This was conveyed to the agitating farmers at the venue of the agitation by Sanguem Deputy Collector Ajay Gaude, following a telephonic conversation with Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar.
Sources said Deputy Collector Ajay Gawde told the striking farmers that the government had agreed to three of the four demands and appealed to the sugarcane farmers to withdraw their indefinite agitation.
The sugarcane farmers claimed the government had accepted three of the four demands which consisted of payment of compensation at the rate of Rs 3,600 per tonne, payment to be made by February end and the government’s written assurance to accept the demands of the sugarcane farmers.
Gawde informed the agitators that the government has invited the farmers for a meeting in Panaji on Wednesday to discuss the fourth demand which pertains to payment of compensation to individual farmer based on the highest average of sugarcane supplies to the Sanjivani Sugar Factory in the last 10 years.
Chandan Unandkar, vice-chairman of Uus Utpadak Sangarsh Samiti, the group spearheading the agitation, said the agitation would continue even if the committee agreed to discuss the matter with the government as informed by the Deputy Collector.
The agitating farmers have, however, resolved to continue with their agitation on Wednesday and said their next move would be decided after the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, Congress leader Pratima Coutinho, AAP leaders Surel Tilve and Sandesh Telekar, Prakash Velip pledged their support.
