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Karnataka Pranth Raitha Sangha will launch a series of agitations in all taluk headquarters across Kalaburagi district starting November 4 demanding that the State government immediately declare Kalaburagi as a flood-affected district and release ₹25,000 per acre compensation to farmers under SDRF and NDRF. Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamshetty urged the State government to waive crop loans taken from cooperative and nationalized banks to ease the financial burden of distressed farmers. He also demanded free distribution of seeds for rabi sowing. The other demand is providing compensation of ₹25 lakh each to the bereaved family members of farmers who have ended their lives in the district this year due to crop losses and mounting debts. He also urged that private educational institutions waive the second-term fees for children of farmers affected by floods and crop loss. Expressing concern over the recurring floods in the Bhima and its tributaries, including Gandori Nala, Amarja, Mullamari, Kagina and Chandrampalli, Mr. Mamshetty urged the State government to form an expert committee to study the issue and suggest permanent solutions to prevent further damage. He sought a special relief package of ₹1,000 crore for compensation and to take up relief measures for those who have suffered severe losses due to excessive rainfall and floods in the district. ₹5,000 per tonne Demanding that the State government fix sugarcane price at ₹5,000 per tonne, Mr. Mamshetty urged it to issue directions to sugar factories to ensure that sugarcane farmers are paid within 14 days of sugarcane being supplied to them and to impose 16% interest in case of delayed payments. Mr. Mamshetty accused the sugar factories of cheating in sugar recovery assessment and ignoring Government Orders to conduct yield tests in the presence of officials and farmers. He said that the factories are overcharging for cutting and transportation of sugarcane and sought the constitution of an expert committee to probe into the irregularities in weighing and sugar recovery tests.
