Ban on Areca - No proposal - Reports

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 28, 2014:  Reports confirm that no proposal exists before the government to ban arecanut and farmers can rest easy in this regard.  It is seen that  some mischief minded elements are creating rumors to divert attention of the farmers for personal and/orpolitical gains, according to Congress committee for agriculture and farm labourers unit President Srirama Pataje.

He is reported to have said in connection with some  complaints, that the Supreme Court routinely sought details as to facts of areca being  harmful to humans. The State government has concern for areca growers. In this background, the government had released Rs 30 crore to the district when growers lost their crops following fruit rot disease affecting areca plantations during last monsoon. The previous UPA government was responsible for increasing the import duty, thereby stabilising the price of arecanuts.  He advised government to make preparations for constituting Arecanut Development Board.