'Execute HC order on waiver of loan'

 A legal notice has been issued to the Union Finance secretary, asking it to comply with the direction of the Karnataka High Court to give relief like waiving loan to bail out the arecanut growers in the Western Ghats region and coastal districts. 

Petitioners Sachin Meega of Chikmagalur and others served a notice through their counsel to the secretary, stating that they would seek contempt proceedings against the Union government and top officials for failure to comply with the court order in 15 days.

Earlier, the Karnataka High Court, while disposing of a public interest litigation petition filed by Meega and others of Chikmagalur, had directed the Union government to take action to give relief to the farmers in deep financial crisis.

The petitioners had sought directions to the Centre to implement the recommendations made by Gorakh Singh Committee to waive farm loans availed by the arecanut growers under certain categories in the Western Ghats region of Shimoga, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts, who suffered losses due to the yellow leaf disease.

Among other recommendations, the committee had suggested to the Union government in 2009 to waive the loans of arecanut growers in the region who have less than four hectares of plantation and also consider providing them fresh farm loans.