Belagavi: With farmers continuing their protest, the chairman of Hiranyakeshi Sugars factory and MLA Nikhil Katti on Saturday stated that the mill has cleared partial payment to the cane farmers, reported The Times of India.
The MLA told the media in Hukkeri town on Monday that the Rs 30 crore of the pending payment to the farmers has already been cleared.
According to Katti, the settlement was due to late settlement of electricity bills by the government, limited loan options available in the light of recent Lok Sabha elections and unsold sugar stockpiles. He admitted that he understood very well the angst of farmers and their right to protest.
A few days ago, hundreds of farmers, led by former minister Shashikant Naik, staged a protest at the premises of the DC’s office regarding the management of Hiranyakeshi Sugar Factory. Subsequently, in a meeting with farmers and representatives of the factory management, DC Nitesh Patil directed all factories, including Hiranyakeshi Sugars, to settle pending payments within a week.
