Belgaum: Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday said that the government would pass the State Advisory Price (SAP) Act in this session of state legislature to meet demands of protesting farmers to hike sugarcane prices.
"I am getting the model acts from states who have implemented the SAP Act. If possible, the act will be passed in this winter session," Shettar said in the house here.
Shettar said in case the government fails to pass SAP Act in this session, it would at least bring it before the state cabinet as an ordinance for approval.
Shettar also announced waiver of sugarcane purchase tax.
Earlier Shettar met the protesting farmers and assured them of passing SAP Act in this session after consulting them on the issue.
Karnataka Rajya Kabbu Belegarara Sangha president Kurbur Shanthakumar said that a large number of sugarcane growers from all over the state would descend and picket Suvarna Soudha during the winter session. They have been demanding SAP of Rs 3,000 for a tonne of sugarcane.
Raising the issue, Opposition Leader in State Assembly Siddaramaiah demanded that SAP Act should be passed in this session. He also said that the sugar factory owners should release the balance payment to be paid to sugarcane farmers immediately.
PTI
