KATHMANDU: Maoist Centre Senior Vice-Chair and former Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Tuesday joined protesting sugarcane farmers staging a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu.
Shrestha sat alongside the farmers, who have been demonstrating for three consecutive days demanding the payment of overdue subsidies and a fair price for their produce. Several Maoist lawmakers also accompanied him in showing solidarity.
Expressing support for the protest, Shrestha urged the government to immediately address the farmers’ demands. “It is unacceptable that sugarcane farmers are forced to struggle time and again to claim their rightful payments,” he said, stressing that the government must begin disbursing subsidies at the rate of Rs 70 per quintal from the last fiscal year and also increase the minimum support price.
Shrestha assured that the Maoist Centre would provide full support to the movement until the farmers’ concerns are resolved.
The Sugarcane Producers’ Federation and Sugarcane Farmers’ Committee have been leading the Kathmandu-based protest since Sunday, demanding overdue subsidy payments from last fiscal year. Farmers have carried placards reading “No to unilateral pricing,” “Stop exploitation of sugarcane farmers,” “Release subsidies now,” and “Include farmers in price determination.”
Despite multiple struggles over the years, sugarcane farmers continue to demand timely payments and transparent pricing mechanisms. Their sit-in at Maitighar entered its third day on Tuesday.
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