Joining protest by farmers, former Karnataka CM says govt is to blame for MySugar losses
BENGALURU:
Leader of the opposition in the Karnataka assembly Siddaramaiah participated in a protest on Sunday organised by the Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti against the leasing out of the MySugar factory. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Out of 65 sugar factories in Karnataka, MySugar is the only government-owned sugar factory. It should be retained and operated by the government, and not privatised.”
“MySugar was established by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar even before Independence. It was profitable for a long time but later started incurring losses for various reasons. Farmers are not responsible for the loss – it is the government that should be blamed. Many government-owned companies are operating at a loss. Are we going to privatise everything then? A study has to be carried out to assess the reasons for the loss and rebuild it again,” Siddaramaiah said.
MySugar was established by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar even before Independence. This was operating in profit for long time but later started incurring losses for various reasons. Farmers are not responsible for the loss – it is the government that should be blamed.#SaveMySugar pic.twitter.com/SR4DK7fzf8
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 10, 2021
The former CM said the issue had come up in the assembly session and “I had made my argument in favour of retaining MySugar by the government. The government-appointed Managing Director is not interested in the factory, then how can we expect it to clock profits?”
‘Monetise factory properties’
Siddaramaiah said he had given Rs 145 crore in grants to MySugar during his tenure as CM in order to keep it running. “There are properties belonging to the factory in Bengaluru, Mysuru and other places. The government can monetise these and use the revenue to run the factory,” he said.
₹145Cr was given to MySugar factory, during my tenure, in order to keep it running.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 10, 2021
There are properties belonging to the factory. There is one in front of Ravindra Kalakshetra also. Govt can develop these lands to monetise & can use the revenue to run the factory#SaveMySugar pic.twitter.com/XEWxHTFZYa
“Private sugar factories in Mandya and Mysuru are making profits. but why is government- owned MySugar incurring losses? BS Yediyurappa is from Mandya and I had hoped that he would put in efforts to improve it, but unfortunately privatisation efforts were started during his tenure,” he said.
Farmers of Mandya have an emotional connect with MySugar. They are trying to convince govt to release funds to restart. I will speak to CM @BSBommai to release adequate funds
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 10, 2021
If this is not done, we will restart the factory within one month of coming back to power.#SaveMySugar pic.twitter.com/DIC3gLRmoS
“Farmers of Mandya have an emotional connect with the MySugar factory. They are protesting in an attempt to convince the government to release funds to restart it. I will speak to CM Basavaraj Bommai to release adequate funds. If this is not done, we will restart the factory within one month after coming back to power,” Siddaramaiah said.
