The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : Minister takes up the case of poppy growers

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Friday, Sep 03, 2004

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Minister takes up the case of poppy growers

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR SEPT. 2. The Rajasthan Industries Minister, Narpat Singh Rajvi, has taken up the case of poppy growers in Chittaurgarh district with the Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, and sought an inquiry into the cancellation of their licences without affording them an opportunity of hearing.

The licence of 80 per cent poppy growers in three village panchayats of Chittaurgarh district were recently cancelled allegedly without following the procedure. Mr. Rajvi, in a letter addressed to Mr. Chidambaram, pointed out that the licences had been annulled for the first time in the history of the region spanning 200 years even after issuance of notices to poppy growers.

Mr. Rajvi has requested the Finance Minister to order an inquiry into the incident by the officials other those who had ordered termination of licences and ensure transparency in the exercise. He alleged that some of the licences were restored by corrupt practices.

Mr. Rajvi said the opium factory in Neemuch in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh had fixed the hearing of poppy growers from August 19 to 31, while issuing notices to them. However, the notices of 80 per cent of poppy growers were cancelled even before the date of hearing.

Though the samples submitted by poppy growers should have been examined in their presence under the rules, the procedure was not followed and the licences were rescinded in an "arbitrary manner'', the letter stated. Mr. Rajvi demanded that the penalty imposed on poppy growers during 2002 to 2004 be revoked to facilitate the restoration of licences.

Earlier, a delegation of poppy growers from Chittaurgarh met Mr. Rajvi here on Wednesday and informed him of their grievances.

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Minister takes up the case of poppy growers