Mangalore, Aug 14: Union Health Minister Dr Harshavardhan has assured the delegation of Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative (CAMPCO) Limited to protect the interest of the acreca growers, said CAMPCO President Konkodi Padmanabha.
Speaking at the press meet held at Hotel Ocean Pearl on August 13Wednesday, he said that Union minister has responded positively to the appeal made by delegation, in order to appoint Senior Counsel to argue in favour of the arecanut growers. They also appealed to withdraw the affidavit in regard to Special Leave Petition of 2007 for the statement areca nut is injurious to health.
He also urged the government to announce special package for the areca plantations affected by Yellow Leaf Disease and also appoint a senior scientists to make a detailed study, report and suggest some alternate crops to be planted in areca garden.
Stressing the importance on areca, president said that arecanut has medicinal values. Hence, the Central government must appoint experts to conduct research on the good way to utilize it.
Konkodi Padmanabha said that they have urged Minister for Commerce and Industries Nirmala Seetharaman to exclude arecanut from the zero per cent duty for import since; it comes under the non essential commodities.
Further he also stated that, mostly arecanut is being imported through the borders of Bangladesh and Nepal by private traders, by decreasing the rate of domestic price. Hence, government must strengthen the borders to check the illegal import.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate ‘Krishi yantra mela III’ at Puttur scheduled to be held from January 24 to 26, 2015, which will be attended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research and will display 20 farm implements developed by them on ,the occasion, he added.
