Mysuru: Responding to the concerns raised by sugarcane farmers, an expert committee has been established with the specific purpose of delving into allegations of unfair practices by sugar factories, reports The Hindu.
Farmers have claimed that their sugarcane produce is being subjected to under-weighing at sugar factories, and further, that the sugar recovery rate is being intentionally misrepresented to their disadvantage.
Joint Director of Agriculture, Mandya, who will also serve as the Member Secretary is heading this committee. Comprising a total of seven experts, the committee’s comprehensive mandate includes conducting thorough investigations across all five sugar factories located within the Mandya district. Their focus will be on scrutinizing the validity of the complaints voiced by farmers during a recent grievances meeting convened in the district.
This initiative demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding the interests of sugarcane farmers and upholding the principles of transparency and accountability within the sugar industry. By addressing these critical concerns head-on, the expert committee aims to ensure that the farmers receive their rightful compensation and that the sugar industry functions within ethical boundaries.
To ensure the integrity of their findings, the committee will be joined by officials from the Department of Legal Metrology. Their role is to provide support and oversight during the factory visits, scrutinizing whether sugarcane is indeed being subjected to under-weighing and if farmers are falling victim to manipulation. The Assistant Controller of the Department of Legal Metrology is also on standby, ready to provide essential technical assistance to the expert team.
Beyond these immediate concerns, the committee’s mandate extends to investigating claims that sugar factory management purposefully distorts the reported sugar recovery rate, an allegation made by farmers. This intricate inquiry underscores the committee’s dedication to transparency and the overall health of the sugar industry.
Comprising a diverse team of experts, including representatives from Joint Directorates, Food and Civil Supplies, Industries, and Commerce, as well as the Legal Metrology Department, the committee is fortified with the insights of Dr. K. Keshavaiah, a seasoned professor and head of Jaggery Park, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, VC Farm, Mandya. Dr. Swamy Gowda, a retired professor specializing in the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) for sugarcane, and Dr. P. Thimme Gowda, Senior Field Superintendent at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station, further augment the committee’s expertise.
