Arecanut growers lost faith in govt: Campco

Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative (Campco) Limited President Konkodi Padmanabha has said that the arecanut growers have lost faith with the present government at the centre, as it has failed to protect the interest of the growers.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, he said that the government has not acted responsibly with regard to the affidavit submitted by Additional Solicitor General Indira Jai Singh on behalf of the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, seeking ban on arecanut. 

“The government and elected represenatatives have been engaged in issuing false statements. In a meeting to discuss on ban on arecanut conducted by the Union Health ministry, unknown persons had attended the meeting on March 10, 2014. The Centre should clarify on those who attended the meeting.” 

“We have a fear that the meeting must have been attended by those engaged in cigarrette lobby. If it was consultants, then they should have invited us and growers for the meeting,” he said. 

He said: “Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has been ensuring on protecting the rights of the growers. The country needs an able leader like Modi.”

“The proceeding of the meeting said that the meeting was held to discuss on comprehensive analysis and study of contents of gutka, tobacco, pan masaa and similar articles manufactured in the country and harmful effects of consumption of such articles.

The proposal on ban on arecanut  is now hanging like a sword of Damocles on growers growing arecanut in 12 states in the country. In fact, Additional Solicitor General Indira Jai Singh has reiterated before the Supreme Court Bench that the arecanut should be banned in a hearing on March 27,” Padmanabha said. 

The Campco President said under the leadership of Campco, Malnad Areca Marketing Co-operative Society Ltd (MAMCOS), TSS, Tumcos, Bharathiya Kissan Sangha and Akhila Bharatha Arecanut Growers Association have appointed five senior counsels to argue for the growers. The arecanut growers in Karnataka play a decisive role in the election in nine constituencies. 

“The report submitted during the NDA government did not speak on carcinogenic content in arecanut. Instead it had mentioned that medicinal values of arecanut need to be explored for the sustenance of arecanut growers.  

The allegation that NDA government was responsible for filing an affidavit on ban on arecanut is a conspiracy to mislead the farmers,” he added.  

Mamcos President Narasimha Nayak said that the economy of several districts is dependent on arecanut. The ban will be a deathknell for the growers.