JOIN USFalse information is being spread on the consumption of areca, to impose a ban on the crop. Opposing the negative propaganda, KPCC Kisan unit will conduct a protest in the city on February 21, said KPCC Kisan unit president Sachin Meega.
Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, he said that some people have been spreading false information saying that the consumption of areca causes cancer, which is baseless. To register our protest against such false publicity, the KPCC Kisan unit will take out a protest rally from the Taluk Office premises at 11 am. The rally will pass through the MG road and culminate at Azad Park circle.
A union minister has stated in Lok Sabha that the intake of arecanut will result in cancer. The same has been mentioned in the Ratnam committee report submitted in 2001. Former Campco president S R Rangamurthy and former convener Ram Bhat have signed the report. Based on the very report, the Union Health Ministry officials have submitted a report to the court in 2013, he said.
Sachin Meega meanwhile accused the cigarette lobby behind the move of the government. False propaganda is carried out only to increase the demand for cigarettes.
Narendra Modi who had come to Chikkamagaluru in 2014, had assured protecting the interests of areca growers. Also, MPs Shobha Karandlaje and B S Yeddyurappa had promised to strive towards the implementation of Gorakh Singh report and waiving-off the loans availed by areca growers. But now they are showing their true colours.
He further said that a plea has been submitted to the Supreme Court, requesting for the loan waiver of areca growers based on the Gorakh Singh report. Ankur Gutkha and Asthma Society of India have been investigated. Central Health Department director Amol Pask and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) director Sandhya Kabra have submitted a report to the court, saying areca causes cancer.
The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has stated in its report that the processed areca is non-hazardous to health. This report should be submitted to the court. If this is not done in 10 days, a hunger strike will be observed in front of the residence of M P Shobha Karandlaje, Sachin added.
Congress leaders Akmal, Prithviraj, Prasad Amin, Kavish, Basavaraj and Rizwan Khan were present.