M'lore: Raita Sangha Demands Special Rehabilitation Package for Areca Growers
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, Apr 7: The Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha in association with Hasiru Sene staged a protest demanding special rehabilitation package and waiving off loan to the arecanut growers of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and North Kodagu district and against the government’s move to acquire farm land for development works. The protest was organized in front of the DC’s office on Thursday April 7.
Addressing the protestors Kodihalli Chandrashekar, president of the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha annoyed over the indifferent attitude of the government with regard to the taking care of farmers. All the political parties have been the disciples of multi national companies. The government itself provokes farmers to commit suicide by grabbing their land and leaving them homeless. On the name of development, licenses have been issued to MRPL and UPCL companies in coastal districts which brought farmers life on the verge of extinct in the vicinity, he lamented.
He also urged for the scientific fixation of price for the crops grown by farmers and introduction of new loan policy to benefit farmers who are in deep trouble.
Terming today’s protest a serious step taken by farmers; he said that it may turn statewide movement which even may cause harm for the existence of BJP rule in the state in case if their voice goes unheard.
He later informed that Barkol movement will be held in Udupi on Friday April 8against V S Acharya’s stand on UPCL.
Ravikiran Punacha, working president said the arecanut growers are in distress with the production cost being raised to Rs 138 per kg. The market price is much below the production cost. At the same time, yellow leaf disease has affected arecanut plantations in DK, Udupi, North Kodagu, thus incurring loss to the growers, he said.
He urged the government to cancel the loan borrowed by the farmers who own less than four hectare land. A rehabilitation package must be announced for the areca nut growers on the model of rehabilitation package announced for the tobacco growers, he said and added that the government should provide compensation and rehabilitation to those who lose their land while constructing dams, electric lines, Kaniyur-Kanhangad railway line before starting acquiring the land.
He added that title deed for the kumki land should be given to the farmers and the government should drop the proposal of unscientific river diversion.
Later a memorandum was handed over to Additional DC Prabhakar Sharma. In his reply he said that all the farmers’ leaders will be called on particular date for a meeting the decision will be informed to them. He added that memorandum will be handed over to DC Subodh Yadav to be sent to the state government finally.