Coffee planters threaten to boycott elections

“The governments have failed to understand the agony of coffee growers in the district. If the exploitation of the farmers continues, we may have to initiate fights towards the formation of a separate Kodagu state,” said Raitha Horata Samiti district president Lingeri Rajesh.

He also warned of boycotting the upcoming elections if free power upto 10 HP is not provided to the pump sets of coffee growers.

Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, he said that District In-charge Minister Somanna, during his visit to Kodagu, had assured of providing free electricity for coffee planters.

But, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has stated that free electricity cannot be provided. His statement needs to be condemned, he said.

Rajya Raitha Sangha taluk president K M Dinesh said that the governments have been earning a lot of foreign exchange through the export of coffee. But, the lives of coffee growers is pathetic.

The government should come to the rescue of growers. Coffee cultivation should be considered as agriculture and proper facilities should be provided to the growers, he said.

Free electricity should be provided to the growers of paddy, areca, coconut and rubber as well, he said and condemned the step-motherly attitude of the government towards coffee growers.

“The MLAs and MP of the region should strive to provide facilities for coffee growers of the district. Even though MLC Veena Achaiah has urged the government in the Legislative Council to provide free electricity upto 10 HP to coffee growers, the MLAs of the district have taken to silence, which is surprising,” he said.

Rajya Raitha Sangha taluk vice president A R Kusalappa pointed out that even though the coffee growers have been suffering the aftereffects of crop losses due to floods from the past three years, the district administration has failed to compensate the growers.

“Even though the coffee prices have risen in the International market, the market rate for coffee will fall in the town. As per the standard rate, Arabica parchment is at
Rs 11,500. But, locally, the price is fixed at Rs 9,800. Nobody is listening to the agony of coffee growers,” he said.

Coffee Belegarara Horata Samiti taluk president M C Muddappa and Raitha Sangha taluk convener S P Rajappa were present.