Mangaluru, June 28,2016 : The price of arecanut has seen a steep fall mainly due to the Union Government policies aimed at appeasing businessman and favouring Gutka companies, alleged KPCC Kisan Cell Chief Sachin Miga.
Speaking to reporters at the District Congress Office on June 27, Monday, he alleged that areca was being rampantly illegally imported to India from nations like Burma, Indonesia and Malaysia."Though huge quantity of areca belonging to Bimal Kumar Modi, a confidante of the Prime Minister was seized by Customs officials at Kolkata port recently, the same were recovered by the businessman," he said adding that the Kisan Congress planned a protest against this.
He further lashed out at the Union Government for not coming to the aid of farmers at a time when it was ready to spend a staggering Rs 2000 crore for the Sardar Vallabha Bhai Statue.
He also urged BJP leaders from the state to appeal to the PM to waive 50 per cent loans of farmers in nationalised banks.
Sachin Miga also stated that 96 out of the 1300 farmers who had ended lives in the state were arecanut growers.
Ibrahim Kodijal, Interim President of District Congress, JR Lobo, MLA, PV Mohan, AICC Member and others were present.