Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 1: A delegation of MPs from areca nut growing areas of Karnataka and Kerala will meet the Prime Minister, forest and environment minister, apart from food and commerce ministers, in an effort to draw the central government’s attention towards the crash in the prices of area nut, triggered by the ban enforced on the use of plastic gutkha sachets. The delegation is set to meet the Prime Minister and other ministers on Tuesday March 1.

The delegation will attract the attention of the central government to the fact that an alternative method of packing has not yet been established in place of plastic gutkha sachets. It will demand for staying the operation of the ban on plastic sachets till a suitable alternative is found. The other demand that the MPs will plead for, is to announce a revised support price for areca nut, and to release of Rs 1,000 crore from revolving fund for buying areca nuts.

A release from Campco Ltd, which gave the above information, also said that the delegation will urge the central government to side with the areca nut farmers in the court case pending in Supreme Court about the gutkha ban, towards convincing the Supreme Court of the problems the areca nut growers are facing because of the ban.

The release further added that the MPs from all the areca nut growing areas will also raise the topic in parliament. A delegation comprising veteran cooperative leaders, headed by Campco president, will also meet the state Chief Minister and apprise him of the present situation.