“If a Deputy Commissioner Can Do What the Chief Minister Cannot, It Raises Questions About His Credibility: Basavaraj Bommai”
Bengaluru: The BJP government had enacted the SAP (State Advised Price) law to ensure fair pricing for sugarcane, and under that law, the State Government has complete authority to fix sugarcane prices. However, the present government has not exercised this power so far. If the Chief Minister uses this provision and ensures justice to farmers, it would lead to a fair and lawful resolution of the sugarcane price issue, said former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he stated that the BJP government, during its tenure, had enacted the SAP law to determine a fair price for sugarcane. Under this law, the State Government has full authority to decide the price based on specific criteria — including the cost of cultivating sugarcane, sugar production, the production of by-products, market price, and the share of profit between farmers and factory owners. So far, the State Government has not exercised these powers. If the Chief Minister uses this authority and does justice to the farmers, it can bring a lawful and balanced solution to the problem, he advised.
The Deputy Commissioner of Belagavi district held a meeting with sugar factory owners and managed to increase the rate per ton of sugarcane from ₹2,900 to ₹3,200, thereby winning the goodwill of farmers.
In contrast, our esteemed Chief Minister, after making great efforts and holding day-long meetings, proposed an increase of just ₹50 per ton above ₹3,200, which some factory owners agreed to and some did not.
“If a single officer can achieve what the head of the State cannot, it certainly raises questions about the Chief Minister’s credibility,” Bommai remarked. However, he also added that, though delayed, the government’s decision to contribute an additional ₹50 is a positive development.
“I had earlier urged the Chief Minister to intervene and sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with sugar factories to buy electricity produced from sugar units at ₹5.5 per unit. Sugar is a commercial crop and a daily-use commodity. Therefore, when the Central Government decides on the price of sugar and its by-products, it takes a balanced decision — ensuring that the general public is not burdened while giving fair compensation to farmers. Hence, blaming only the Centre for everything is not justified. It is the duty of the State Government to safeguard the interests of our farmers,” he stated.
