Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SK)

Mangaluru, Dec 30: Former MLA B Ramanath Rai said, “The Congress will stage protest on December 31 in every taluk against home minister Araga Jnanendra for his statement on areca nut growers.”

Addressing media on Friday December 30, he said, “The home minister has supported restrictions on cultivating areca .The areca growers of the Malnad region and the traditional growers, have been suffering because of the diseases affecting crop. Now, many people in dry areas are also cultivating the crop. I wish some restrictions are put on expanding the area.

“The home minister’s statement is problematic to the areca nut growers. There are a lot of areca nut growers in our district. As much as 50% of the areca nut growers are present in our state. If the people of Dakshina Kannada district survived during the time of the pandemic, it is mainly because of areca nut. Already, areca nuts have been imported from many countries Burma, Bhutan and many more. The price of areca nut has decreased. In this situation, such statement seems to be intentionally made. There might be severe downfall in areca nut prices due to the statement.

“Farmers have continuously fought for compensation over the areca nut disease which has not been given yet. The Congress had taken many farmer friendly steps during its rule. Every farmer needs to oppose the state government’s move and stand for their right.

“The government is not in favour of farmers and not with the poor as well. It is always in favour of investors. The statement will have severe impact on the farmers who are in debt.

“We are going to do a protest in every taluk through Kisan cell on December 30. Protest will be held in every taluk condemning the statement made by Araga Jnanendra,” he said.

KPCC state general secretary Rakshith Shivaram, former mayor M Shashidhar Hedge, Congress leaders Prathibha Kulai, Appi, Naveen D’Souza and others were present.