Siddhasiri Ethanol Plant Directors Reject Allegations of Cheating Farmers
In Kalaburagi, the directors of Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power Plant have issued a strong rebuttal to accusations that they cheated local farmers on sugarcane weight. The controversy, which unfolded on the outskirts of Chincholi town, has taken a political turn with the factory management alleging a deliberate smear campaign.
A Politically Motivated Smear Campaign, Say Directors
In a joint press statement released on Wednesday, directors Prabhu Desai and Jagdish Kshattri described the allegations as baseless and politically driven. They asserted that the claims were specifically designed to damage the reputation of Basanagowda Patil Yatnal, the president of the Siddhasiri group. The directors expressed their outrage, emphasizing that their factory has always conducted business with farmers in a transparent and honest manner.
The accusations were recently leveled by individuals including Praveenkumar Kori, Basavaraja Kori, and Sharanbasappa Mamashetty, the district president of the State Farmers Association. They alleged significant discrepancies in the weight of sugarcane recorded at the factory compared to earlier measurements.
Timing Discrepancy and Official Verification
Addressing a specific charge, the directors pointed to a critical detail in the evidence presented by the accusers. They noted that the 'Friends Way Bridge' receipt shown by the farmers originated from Shahabad town, where the produce was weighed at 2.49 pm. The same load was weighed at the Siddhasiri factory later that day at 9.47 pm. The directors implied that the time gap could account for any perceived weight variation due to moisture loss during transit.
To settle the matter definitively, officials from the legal metrology department conducted a surprise inspection of the plant on December 14. The verification was carried out in the presence of the concerned farmers. The officials weighed the same lorry that was at the center of the dispute and confirmed that the factory's weighing machine was fully compliant with all government standards.
A certificate was officially issued, verifying the accuracy and legitimacy of the factory's weighing equipment. This government certification stands as a key piece of evidence in the plant's defense against the cheating allegations.
Broader Implications for Farmer-Industry Relations
This incident highlights the sensitive and often contentious nature of transactions between agricultural producers and processing industries in regions like Kalaburagi. While the factory has been cleared by the metrology department, the event underscores the need for:
- Continuous transparency in weighing and payment processes.
- Swift governmental intervention to audit claims and maintain trust.
- Clear communication channels between farmer associations and factory management to prevent misunderstandings.
The directors of Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power Plant have stated their commitment to continuing fair dealings with the farming community, hoping to move past what they call a fabricated controversy aimed at political gain rather than addressing genuine grievances.
