Former minister Anand Singh has written a letter to the district authorities asking them to revoke the approval order issued by the government to Hampi Sugars Company for 81.86 acres of land in Jambunathahalli village, to establish a sugar factory. Additionally, he urged for the allocation of this land to the underprivileged individuals residing in the city.
The total surveyed land number 11/1 and other survey numbers in Jambunathahalli village amounts to 81.86 acres, and it was sanctioned by the government for the establishment of a distillery for ethanol production in Hampi Sugars Company. In his letter, he urged the district authorities to put the approval order for this land on hold.
The land in Jambunathahalli village, which was a part of the sugarcane farmers, has now been transferred to the Hosapete City Corporation. There is a demand for about 2 crore rupees per acre for this land. The government stands to lose around 150 crore rupees due to the company selling this land at a much lower price than the market rate.
The closure of the IISR Sugar Factory in the city has caused hardships to the sugarcane farmers in and around Chitvadaghi. Even small and marginal farmers depended on this factory. The farmers used to transport sugarcane in carts and tractors to the factory. The factory had a good relationship with the farmers since its inception, but later they delayed paying the cane price, resulting in financial difficulties for the farmers. Finally, the farmers protested against the management of the factory, which led to the shutdown. The closure of this factory has caused distress to the sugarcane farmers.
In protest against the Sugar Factory Management Committee’s failure to pay the pending dues to the farmers, several demonstrations were held. However, the company did not release the pending payments. Inevitably, MLA Anand Singh intervened and assured the farmers that he would convince the factory owners to pay the dues. Along with the farmers, he also conducted protests. As a result, the factory management decided to close down the factory.
In the backdrop of the changing political scenario, HR Gaviyappa, who contested against Siddharth Singh, Anand Singh’s son, in the last assembly elections, has raised objections to the Hampi Sugars Sugar Factory establishment