Dharmasthala case delay explained
Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara clarified that the acceptance of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on the Dharmasthala case has been postponed due to technical reasons. “The report submission has been delayed for a few days as certain technical aspects need to be resolved,” he said.
Responding to the dissatisfaction expressed by the State Women’s Commission regarding the progress of the SIT investigation, Dr. Parameshwara assured that the process is comprehensive and transparent. “The Women’s Commission has sought a thorough investigation. All details must be examined before the final report is submitted. The delay is purely technical and not deliberate,” he explained.
On the ongoing sugarcane growers’ agitation, the Home Minister said that discussions on fixing sugarcane prices are held every year. “Farmers demand prices similar to Maharashtra, but the sugar recovery per tonne there is higher. Ours is comparatively lower, which affects pricing,” he pointed out. He added that all concerned ministers held talks on Wednesday, though no resolution was reached.
Emphasising restraint, Dr. Parameshwara instructed the police to handle farmers’ protests peacefully. “We know what happened in Belagavi earlier when a farmer took poison. We must avoid such incidents and resolve issues through dialogue,” he said.
When asked about the party high command’s instructions not to visit Delhi, Parameshwara remarked, “I don’t know who will go. I will visit Delhi only if necessary. There’s not much work for our department there, but if there’s any special grant or central assistance, I will go.”
He also recalled his previous visit to Delhi, where he met the Union Home Minister to request the construction of 5,000 houses for police personnel, but said there had been no response yet.