Pics by: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore

Mangalore, Jun 2: "The ban on gutka in the state has been carried out as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court. The state and central governments are always ready for the protection of areacanut farmers and the BJP’s political statement in this matter is condemnable,” said Ivan D’Souza, addressing a press meet on Saturday June 1.

“The gutka ban planned must be implemented in the state as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court and not as a sole decision by the state government. More than 25 states in India, including BJP-ruled state like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have already banned gutka long ago. The BJP president and former state chief minister Sadananda Gowda is opposing this gutka ban not to favour arecanut farmers but for their political benefits only,” he added.

“The BJP government which ruled the state earlier now raises its voice against the gutka ban and speaks in the interest of arecanut farmers. But that government has done the least for the welfare of the arecanut farmers while they were ruling the state,” alleged D’Souza.

“All the state and central leaders and ministers will be briefed on the present problems faced b y the arecanut farmers and they will be urged to follow steps for the protection of those people who are badly hit buy this ban,” he said.

Leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, T K Sudhir, Praveen Chandra Alva, Naveen Lobo, and Girish Shetty were present.