Pralhad Joshi will hold a meeting with sugarcane growers on October 12

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed the press in Hubballi on Friday (October 2). | Photo credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Union Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Friday (October 2) that a meeting will be held with sugarcane growers in New Delhi on October 12 to discuss their demands, including an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar.

Addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Friday (October 2), Mr. Joshi said the Center had called the meeting in response to farmers’ protest and their demand for better prices. “We are not dictators. That is why the meeting with the farmers was called,” he said.

Explaining the difference between sugar prices and the price paid to sugarcane growers, Mr. Joshi said the MSP for sugar was introduced when market prices fell sharply. According to him, the measure prevents sugar from being sold below the prescribed minimum price.

However, the increase in MSP for sugar would not automatically translate into higher payments to sugarcane growers, he said, adding that the two prices were not directly linked.

Mr Joshi said the Union Government was implementing the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were among the major ethanol producing states and the Center was procuring ethanol as part of its policy, he said.

He said the state governments have the power to fix the state advised price (SAP) for sugarcane. However, Karnataka has not mandated SAP, he argued, adding that the state government will have to provide funds to meet the resulting payment obligations.

The minister also criticized the Congress-led state government for its handling of farmers’ issues, citing drought relief, power shortages and discontinuation of financial assistance under the Kisan Samman scheme. He alleged that the government has failed to introduce adequate new measures to address the plight of farmers.

In the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Mr Joshi criticized Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for protesting before the State Election Commission. He claimed that the demonstration was unconstitutional and demanded that a case be filed against the chief minister and cabinet members. He said the SIR process has been laid down by law and has not yet been completed.

Mr. Joshi also blamed the state government for granting licenses to distilleries, terming the move against the interests of farmers and the public.

When asked if he would return to state politics, he said that he has no such plans at present and will continue to work at the Center if he has the support of the people and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a related development, Inchageri Mutt’s Shashikanth Guru, who allegedly made derogatory remarks about Mr. Joshi during the sugarcane growers’ protest in Hubballi, released a video clip showing the developments regarding his meeting with Mr. Joshi and his subsequent remarks during the rally. He said he regrets such remarks and takes back the words.

Published – 02 Oct 2026 20:27 IST