Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (RD/AF)

Puttur, Feb 4: 'Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has assured a release of Rs 250 crore as compensation to agriculturists whose areca plantations have been affected owing to diseases,' said Veerappa Moily, former chief minister and chairman of Union Administration Reforms Commission.

'A majority of plantations in the predominantly areca growing taluks of Vittal, Beltangady, Sullia and green belt bordering Kerala have been adversely affected,' he added.

He was speaking to media persons when he had arrived here on Saturday, February 2. 

Pawar decided to release the compensation following several visits by a delegation of areca growers of undivided Dakshina Kannada district to place their demands to provide special compensatory package for covering areca losses owing to plant diseases he added. 

Moily also expressed hope that governor Rameshwar Thakur will release Rs ten crore at the earliest out of the total amount promised.

Kaup Hemanath Shetty, president of Puttur Block Congress, A Jeevan Bhandary, director of SCDCC Bank, Moideen Bava, Tejomaya and others were present.