CM noted farmers seek parity with Maharashtra’s rates and directed ministers to hold talks.
Kolar
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the responsibility of fixing sugarcane prices lies with the Central Government, not the State Government. Speaking to the media after attending an event at S.N. City in Bangarpet taluk, he said that farmers in Belagavi and Bagalkot are protesting to demand higher prices for sugarcane, but only the Centre has the authority to revise the rates. He added that since Maharashtra offers higher prices, farmers here are demanding the same. The CM said he had asked ministers Satish Jarkiholi, Shivanand Patil, Timmapur, and M.B. Patil to hold talks with the farmers.
Talking about the Ettinahole project, Siddaramaiah assured that efforts are being made to complete it within two years to benefit Kolar district. He also said that the district might get ministerial representation during the next cabinet expansion.
Regarding the Kolar–Bengaluru railway project, he noted that while the Central Government implements and benefits from such projects, Karnataka contributes ₹4.5 lakh crore in taxes to the Centre but receives only 14 to 15 paise per rupee in return, with the rest retained by the Union government.
Responding to MLA Venkata Shiva Reddy’s court petition alleging fund discrimination in Srinivaspur, Siddaramaiah questioned how much grant was given during the coalition government or when Ramesh Kumar was MLA. He pointed out that while Andhra Pradesh and Bihar received special grants from the Centre, Karnataka did not, calling it a clear case of bias.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy said that the issue of fixing sugarcane prices will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting, involving the Sugar Minister and other regional ministers, but the final decision rests with the Central Government.