Relief for Sugarcane factories

Belgavi: A fresh order by the high court giving sugar factories a deadline of two weeks to settle the growers' dues at the rate of Rs 2,500 per tonne of sugarcane has come as a huge relief to the state government, which was preparing to confront angry farmers during the coming winter session of the  legislature in Belgaum.

Hearing  a petition  by sugar factories against the  price fixed by the government for cane, the court directed them to settle the cane growers bills immediately at the same rate.

The government had fixed the price for cane during the last winter session of the state legislature in Belgaum, but the factories responded by going to court in  protest.

The move has now backfired on them as most of the factories are paying considerably less than the rate now fixed by the court. 

In fact, many factories in north Karnataka have not  settled  the cane growers' bills since last November and could invite stringent action by the court should they violate its orders this time.

The court’s decision has brought cheer to lakhs of farmers of north Karnataka.