JOIN US Coffee Board should submit a proposal to the compensation only after assessing the loss by the Board Chairman.
Addressing a press meet on Tuesday, he said “unseasonal rain has damaged Arabica coffee. It will have affect even on Robasta coffee as well.”
Unseasonal rains have led to the withering of Arabica coffee beans in the district. Pulped coffee beans got drenched in the rains. Coffee Board has convened a meeting on January 7. The loss in the crop will be discussed in the meet. The Coffee Board Chairman should visit the affected areas and assess the damage before submitting a report to the Centre.
Growers are in trouble owing to the heavy rains, unseasonal rains in the last three years. In this background, the Centre should announce special package to coffee growers at the earliest.
We have already submitted a memorandum to MP H Vishwanath and R Dhruvanarayana. Union Minister for Commerce has convened a meeting on December 31 where the coffee package proposal is likely to be approved, he added.
They said district administration has Rs 12 crore to provide compensation to the coffee growers who incurred loss in 2007-08.
“We have also brought to the notice of Commerce department that compensation has not been distributed. Even State government has already recommended to the Centre in this regard. We have also discussed the matter of non distribution of compensation with the Deputy Commissioner,” they added.
Somwarpet Growers Federation President B M Suresh said “in spite of coffee growers suffering, Coffee Board has not responded to the problems. Board members have failed to respond to the problems of the growers in the past,” he alleged.