No mercy for vandals who set fire to sugarcane-laden trucks: Karnataka Minister

“The government of Karnataka will conduct an inquiry into miscreants setting fire to sugarcane-laden tractors and trolleys. We have adopted a zero tolerance policy towards such incidents. Anyone found guilty will face legal action without any leniency,’’ Shivanand Patil, Minister for sugar and sugarcane development, said in Sameerwadi in Bagalkot district on November 14.

Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil visited the Godavari sugar factory in Sameerwadi in Bagalkot district of Karnataka on November 14, 2025. Several sugarcane trolleys and vehicles were set on fire outside the factory on November 13.
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“We will compensate farmers who suffered losses. The State Government will decide on the quantum of compensation after studying reports of the district administration. The amount will be paid either by the State Government or the Belagavi-based S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute,” the Minister said.

“It is sad and unfortunate that sugarcane tractors were burnt in the premises of the Godavari Biorefineries Factory in Sameerwadi in Mudhol taluk. Local investigators are getting multiple inputs on the issue, and we do not want to comment on it now. But we will conduct an inquiry and take strict action against those involved,” he told reporters after visiting the site.

Factory visit

He inspected the site along with district in-charge Minister R.B. Thimmapur. He went around the area where tractors and bikes were burnt. He interacted with farmers who had lost their crops and vehicles.

“I strongly condemn the misdeed. A team of officers led by the Sub-Divisional Officer has started a survey of the extent of the damage. The amount of compensation to be given has not yet been decided. I assure you that the government will take action against the miscreants who have committed misdeeds by misusing the farmers’ agitation. We will not spare anyone involved,” he said. “Some factories were hesitant to start crushing operations due to this incident, but adequate security will be provided to them,” he said.

“Due to the intervention of the State Government, we have been able to ensure an average of ₹200 to ₹250 extra per tonne of sugarcane this season irrespective of the sugar recovery. We have also urged the factories to distribute profits in the ratio of 70:30 as per the Rangarajan Committee report,” the Minister said.

Sugarcane is grown in ​​7.3 lakh hectares in Karnataka, with the maximum amount (5.67 lakh hectares) in Belagavi, Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts.

“If crushing is delayed, not only will the sugar yield decrease, but it will also cause problems for farmers. Along with the weight loss, sowing for the next season will also be affected. I, therefore, appeal to the farmers to co-operate with the factories and the government so that crushing can run smoothly.”

He denied allegations that the State Government had yielded to pressure from factory owners. “We have not given in to the owners. If that was the case, it would not have been possible to fix higher prices for growers. At the same time, we will make sure that there is no attempt to provide false information about the profits earned by the factories from the main and by-products of sugarcane, and the tax received by the government,” he said. He appealed to the media to try to convey the proper facts to farmers and others.

Delegation to the Centre

“Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already announced that he will lead a delegation to the Prime Minister with some demands to ensure remunerative pricing for sugarcane. We will urge the Centre to substantially increase the sugar export quota and the ethanol production limit set for the State.

“Our demand is to increase the price of commercial sugar. If the Central Government responds to our demand, it will be beneficial for sugarcane growers,” he said.

“Karnataka sugar industry is suffering due to the policies and rules of the Centre. Karnataka is the third largest sugarcane growing State in India. But the Central Government has set a low limit for ethanol production for Karnataka. Gujarat has stated in the tender that it will supply 38,000 crore liters of ethanol. However, the Central Government has allowed the production of 43,000 crore liters of ethanol. This is 13% more than the demand. But in case of Karnataka, though we had demanded 325 crore liters of ethanol production, only 133 crore liters has been allowed. If the price of commercial sugar is fixed, like LPG, it can provide more benefits to sugarcane growers. It is not right to fix the same price for domestic and commercial use. A minimum support price (MSP) should be fixed for sugar too,” he said.

Crushing begins in most factories

“Bagalkot district has 14 sugar factories, of which 9-10 factories have already started crushing. 1.6 lakh metric tons of sugarcane were crushed till November 13. Only 4-5 sugar factories in Mudhol taluk have not started crushing. Even the Godavari factory, that witnessed the tragedy, was scheduled to start crushing on November 13,” the Minister said.

Mr. Patil urged the factories to start crushing and directed Deputy Commissioner Sangappa to provide the necessary protection to them.

Mr. Thimmapur told Mr. Patil that police had told him that they were suspecting that the fire was a premeditated offence. “Miscreants poured petrol on the sugarcane trolleys before setting them on fire. Nails were hammered into the tractor tires. They also hit the tires with machetes to make them immobile. Officers have got videos that show groups of youth vandalising tractors, pushing them and setting fire to them,” Mr. Thimmapur said. He urged Mr. Patil to conduct a high level inquiry. “Some farmers have even told me that they do not want any compensation, but they would like to see the offenders punished. I also urge that the guilty be punished. Only then can such tragedies be put to an end. They should not be pardoned for any reason,” he said.

ZP CEO Shashidhara, Assistant commissioner Shweta Bedkar, Sugarcane Control Board member Ranganagouda Patil, and Godavari Factory CEO Balachandra Bakshi were among those present.

Published – November 14, 2025 03:45 pm IST