Thaindian News

Chennai, Feb 14 (IANS) Continuing their war of words on the issue of a remunerative price for sugarcane growers in the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi Sunday hit out at AIADMK leader J.Jayalalithaa and her party’s agitation over the issue.
“The AIADMK government (2001-2005) for four years did not announce a higher price than what the central government had announced for sugarcane purchase. It was only in 2005 with an eye to the elections that the Jayalalithaa government announced higher price for the cane (Rs.1,014 per tonne as against the central government’s price of Rs.795 per tonne),” he said.

“However, the AIADMK government did not pay that amount and it was only the DMK government that assumed power in 2006 that paid that rate to the cane growers,” Karunanidhi added.

Jayalalithaa, addressing a gathering of agitating cane growers at Villupuram Saturday, said the AIADMK government had announced a price of Rs.1,014 per tonne in 2005 as against the central government’s price of Rs.795 per tonne.

According to Karunanidhi, the AIADMK government paid the cane price three months after the central government announced its rate.

He said it was the DMK government that announced payment of sugarcane freight charges at Rs.90 per tonne irrespective of the distance and the ownership of the sugar mill - government-run, or owned by a cooperative or private firm.

Karunanidhi also refuted Jayalalithaa’s charge that the DMK government has reduced the cane price by Rs.80 per tonne the last four years even as the central government had increased the rate by Rs.503 per ton.

He said the state government has announced a price of Rs.1,437.40 per tonne for 2009-2010 as against the central government notified price of Rs.1.298.40 per tonne.