Cong to take areca growers delegation to Delhi

Bangalore, Oct 25: Congress leaders in Karnataka will take a delegation of arecanut growers in the state to prevail upon the Centre not to include Areca as a food item under the Food Adulteration Act.

Speaking to newsmen here State Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the statement made by Union Minister A Ramdass in this regard was 'unnecessary and caused concern' to the growers. He sought clarification from the minister and said the Congress always opposed to adding any banned substance to the areca products. "If any unhealthy substance is added as value addition to arecanut let them remove it, but do not bring arecanut under the act," he urged.

Answering queries, he said he would also write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard to seek his intervention.

Mr Kharge also thanked Dr Singh and Party Supremo Sonia Gandhi for including Cine actor and party MP, M H Ambareesh, into union cabinet yesterday and giving independent charge to Mr Oscar Fernandes with Labour portfolio.

UNI