Irregularities in compensation to areca growers - Sangha

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Sep 24, 2014: :  Speaking to media, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh  General Secretary here, Sathyanarayana Udupa said that there were financial irregularities estimated at Rs 97 lakh, in the distribution of compensation to arecanut growers whose arecanut plantations were affected by fruit rot disease last year.  The irregularities were reported partcularly from Kundapur and Udupi taluks.

The compensation distributed was jointly by the revenue and horticulture departments. In most of the cases in Udupi and Kundapur taluk, a single beneficiary has received more than two cheques. Not less than 38 persons received the compensation do not own any land and some do not have land against the compensation package they received; Udupa stated.

Expalining his allegations, Kisan Sangh leader said that in Kundapur, 17 people have received more than one cheque. Two hundred and thirty six families were given cheques in the name of different family members. Three hundred and eighteen farmers who do not own land have received compensation. The survey numbers mentioned do not tally with original RTC.

As per the data available with the department, 982 applicants in Udupi and 3,555 applicants in Kundapur taluks have received the compensation. A sum of Rs 3,60,53,648 was given to the farmers in Kundapur, while in Udupi, Rs 72,12,374 was given. As per the official version, 171 applications are pending to be compensated in Kundapur taluk. However in Udupi taluk, there is no pending application.

The Sangha had received 2,100 applications in Karkala, 49 applications in Udupi and 479 applications in Kundapur. He demanded stringent action against those who were responsible for the irregularities. Growers who have not received compensation should be paid at the earliest. A thorough investigation is needed.