Udupi: DVS, Eshwarappa visit areca plantations, demand relief package from govt

Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Aug 31: The Congress government which came to power by garnering votes of farmers is in the process of introducing schemes and projects in a bid to boost its own popularity among people, said former chief minister and BJP leader D V Sadananda Gowda.

He was speaking to reporters during his visit to the areca plantations of Bittu Poojary at Mudrangady-Pilar and of Kusha Shetty at Nyarma, Shirva here on Friday August 30. He visited the plantations to inspect the loss caused due to fungal disease prevailing among areca plantations.

"The state government is still under the hangover of coming to power. The government must wake up from its slumber and pay attention to the problems faced by areca growers by visiting their plantations. A report giving the correct picture of the problems must be obtained from officials and a relief package should be announced for the areca growers at the earliest. Also, measures should be taken to encourage farmers to grow other crops as well," he urged.

Former deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa said that ever since Congress came to power in the state, CM Siddaramaiah has been busy in pleasing the voters and the Congress party high command by making frequent trips to Delhi.

"Come to the areca plantations to learn and study about the problems faced by the areca growers. Come forward to announce a suitable package for them and save your face," said Eshwarappa, addressing Siddaramaiah through the media.

"We have tried to make the government aware of the problems and losses faced by the areca growers through the media. The government must announce a special package for areca growers by September 5. If not, we will descend on streets and start a movenment against the government," he warned.

Former minster Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MLA Lalaji R Mendon, Nagaraj Shetty, BJP district president Udayakumar Shetty, Kaup block president K Suresh Nayak, BJP leaders Somashekar Bhat, Sulochana Bhat, Muttaru Ratnakar Hegde, Ravindra Shetty Kollabettu, Kuthar Naveen Shetty, Giridhar Prabhu and others were present.