Mysuru, 18 September

Farmers under the banner of Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association have planned to lay siege to the office of Command Area Development Authority in Mysuru on 21 September, urging the authorities to release water to canals to save the standing crops in the command area. A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting chaired by state unit chief Kurubur Shanthakumar held near Gun House circle in the city on Friday.

During the meeting, Kurubur Shanthakumar said that standing paddy and sugarcane, which were sown during this season, were withering due to delay in releasing water to canals. The government has promised to release water to canals on and off basis, but it is not keeping its word.

 The meeting has also decided to prevail upon the government over erratic power supply, demanding a fair remunerative price for sugarcane during this crushing season, and other demands of the farmers.