Mangalore, Dec. 11: Dr.M.N. Rajendra Kumar, president, SCDCC Bank said that arecanut growing is source of livelihood of almost agriculturist here. Now banning arecanut by telling it is also injuries to health affect the sources of the income of arecanut grower.
“The appeal made by the Central Government to Apex Court for imposing ban of Arecanut is giving sleepless night to the farmers. Arecanut business has also contributed to the economic stability of India. There are more than lacs of families who have made Arecanut cultivation as source of livelihood in undivided Dakshina Kannada District. Further there are lacs of labourers who are dependent on arecanut cultivation. As most of the agriculturists conduct their business co-operative societies, the ban will adversely affect the co-operative societies too. SCDCC will wage legal battle if the Government doesn’t take back its ban,” Dr.Kumar said.
“Already memorandums have been submitted to union ministers Dr.M.Veerappa Moily and Oscar Fernandes to safeguard the interest of arecanut cultivators. Further Jayaparakash Hegde, MP, has also informed that he is opposed to the ban and also has submitted supporting documents to justify his poopistion.” he added.
“An expert committee which includes international agricultural scientist Dr.Vigneshwar Varmudi has already started collating information to show arecanut ban is going to wield adverse effects. We already consulted senior lawyers of Supreme Court to conduct legal battle against the ban. We will also go to Delhi to pressurize the Union Health Department to revoke the ban,”Dr.Kumar warned.
