JOIN USDec 10 deadline for special loan waiver package
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Federation office-bearers Padanda Naresh, B T Dinesh, Panathale Vishwanath said if the Centre does not release the package by December 10, the Federation would take an appropriate decision by conducting a meeting of the coffee growers of different districts.
Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily and MP H Vishwanath will draw the attention of the Centre during the Lok Sabha session to be held from Thursday (Nov 19). Besides, the Kodagu Bundh held on Monday (Nov 16) has sent a clear message to the government, they said.
The Deputy Commissioner too has responded positively to the problems of the growers. The district administration has Rs 12.55 crore for flood relief, and the Revenue Department Secretary has assured the DC of giving a clarification within 15 days. The DC has assured of distributing compensation to the growers who incurred loss in heavy rains in 2007 within 15 days of the clarification, they informed.
When asked what would be their reaction if the government says the coffee growers should not be given the compensation, the office-bearers said they have necessary documents to show how coffee comes under the list, which would be brought to the attention of the government through elected representatives of the district.
Since compensation has already been distributed to the coffee growers in Mudigere taluk, Kodagu growers too cannot be denied of the facility, they argued.
The State government has been given a deadline of three months to solve the problems of roads and electricity in the district. If the problems continue to prevail even after that, the protest will be intensified, they said.
Madhu Bopanna and P S Bopanna were present at the press meet.