Raitha Sangha on hunger stir against govt ‘apathy’ to problems of areca growers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 20, 2014:  The Raitha  Sangha and the Hasiru Sene are sore over the state government for not coming to the aid of the areca growers who are reeling under various problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On May 20, Tuesday members and leaders of the Dakshina Kannada unit of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene  began a 24 hour symbolic hunger strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here seeking measures to end the woes of the growers.

Addressing the protestors, Chamarasa Mali Patil, Raitha Sangha’s state unit President  criticised the government for not  thinking in terms of waiving the loans of areca growers who are unable to repay them. Another demand placed forth by him was to directly distribute the Rs 175 crore  compensation  released by the government to the growers distressed by Kole disease.

Slamming the government for its decision to implement Yettinahole project, he also touched upon the Kasturi Rangan Report and said efforts were being made to displace farmers  on the pretext of implementing the report.

He further urged the government to fulfill the various demands of the Sangha lest it would be forced to go on a protest in front of Vidhana Saudha.
KT Gangadhar, State Working President of the Sangha,  Badagalapura Nagendra, its General Secretary,  Vijaykumar Hegde, State Vice President and others are participating in the protest.