Proposed ban on sale of gutka; arecanut growers hold protest

The protesters alleged that since the plastic pouches are banned and no alternative are announced for the packing, it has become inevitable to ban the gutka. The areca nut rates have already hit rock bottom and the growers are put into lot of hardship.Areca nut is grown on thousands of acres in Arakalgud taluk. The government’s sudden decision to ban gutka has made farmers to incur huge loss. The protesters demanded compensation for the affected farmers.

Uday Kumar of Basavapatna Areca nut Growers Association flayed the Centre for taking decision succumbing to pressures of multinational companies.

H A Shankar of Ramanathapura said drinking water, milk, food items and several other products were packed in plastic and sold. But this has not come to the notice of political leaders. The politicians were hand in glove with industrialists and duping farmers. The protesters demanded the government to clarify which products should not be sold in plastic sachets.

Arakalgud Taluk Areca nut Growers Association, KRV, KRRS, Hasiru Sene and others participated in the protest.

They took out a protest march to Deputy Commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum to DC Naveen Raj Singh.