Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Oct 25: “Areca growers have witnessed huge loss due to bacterial blight or ‘kole roga’ in five districts as a result of which 75 percent areca growers have suffered. Although the state government knows about this, it has not considered the plight of areca growers or responded in an appropriate manner. The BJP formed a committee and studied the condition of farmers in these five districts and submitted a report to the state as well as union government demanding proper compensation to the affected,” said former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

He was addressing the press meet held at district BJP office on Thursday October 24.

“We congratulate union minister Sharad Pawar for announcing a grant of Rs 175 crore for those who suffered huge loss due to this problem. But the state government has failed to provide proper compensation to areca farmers. It has sanctioned only Rs 20 crore to farmers who lost their crop during the recent rain havoc,” he said

“BJP had planned to protest against the government on Sunday October 27, but the union government announced the grant of Rs 175 crore. Hence, the protest is being postponed. The state government should get the sanctioned funds and distribute them equally among the affected farmers. If the sanctioned grant is not distributed properly, the BJP will hold a strong protest against the government,” he added.   

On this occasion, Prathap Simha Nayak, Kishor Rai, Jayaram Shetty, and Diwakar Samani were present.