Reacting to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi writing to him listing how the Centre’s policies have helped sugarcane growers and mill owners, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed “deep disappointment” that the central government continues to “dodge the key issue”.
Opposing Mr Joshi, who asked Karnataka to fix the State Advisory Price (SAP), Mr Siddaramaiah accused him of ignoring the central issue of the widening gap between the cost of cultivation and price realization of sugarcane.
“The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Central Government at ₹ 355 per metric cent at 10.25% return is projected to be a major success with a claim of 105.2% margin over cost of production. Unfortunately, this claim is a farce. Every farmer in Karnataka knows that since 2014 they have doubled their transport, fertilizer and other labor costs. The FRP has increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 4.47%, from ₹ 210 per quintal in 2014 to ₹ 355 today Moreover, the FRP was not increased for two consecutive years during the NDA regime, resulting in severe losses to farmers, with an average loss of ₹ 20 each.
The chief minister also raised questions about ethanol blending and increased ethanol procurement, Mr. Joshi says, with “reality remaining far from what is assumed”. The Chief Minister also sought aggregate data on the support extended in Karnataka’s sugar mills.
Mr. Siddaramaiah also questioned why none of the Union ministers from Karnataka attended the November 7 meeting, alleging that they were turning a blind eye to the Union government, which has repeatedly shown a step-motherly attitude towards Karnataka.
“I urge you, as a senior union minister from Karnataka, to raise your voice not against your own people but for your people,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said in his reply to Mr. Joshi.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 21:19 IST
