Centre asked to ban import of arecanut

Bangalore, Oct 27 (UNI) Arecanut growers from Karnataka have strongly urged the Centre to ban the import of ''sub-standard'' arecanut into the country, which has caused a steep fall in the price of the crop resulting in heavy loss to the farmers.

Elected representatives of arecanut growers, traders and cooperative institutions met here today and passed a resolution to this effect, senior BJP Legislator Araga Jnanendra informed today.

In a release here, he said all the stakeholders of the arecanut crop have expressed deep anguish over the controversial statement of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss about banning gutka, which tumbled the price of the crop.

Mr Jnanendra said the meeting also took strong exception to the caution issued by the central health authorities against chewing of arecanut, stating that it would cause health hazards.

The meeting also urged the State Government to take steps to prevent illegal trading of arecanut outside the jurisdiction of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees. It also resolved to bring pressure on both the Union and State Governments to intervene and protect the interests of arecanut growers.

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