The Hindu : Karnataka News : Rahul Gandhi to be invited to inspect arecanut plantations

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Karnataka

Rahul Gandhi to be invited to inspect arecanut plantations

Correspondent

Delegation will meet him in New Delhi on Sunday and seek relief

Arecanut plantations hit by yellow leaf disease
Stress on need to fulfil assurances by leaders

CHIKMAGALUR: Sachin Meega, president of the Chikmagalur District Youth Congress, said here on Wednesday that a delegation of Youth Congress leaders from the district will meet All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on August 23 and invite him to visit areas where arecanut plantations have been affected by the yellow leaf disease.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Meega said the delegation would comprise 50 members, including block presidents, who will urge him to visit arecanut and coffee plantations in the district and announce relief measures to affected farmers.

Stressing the need to fulfil assurances made by Congress leaders in this connection, he said an appeal will be made to Mr. Gandhi to announce a special package for arecanut growers, which includes payment of Rs. 5 lakh an acre to grow alternative crops, providing government employment to one person in the family, providing financial assistance to start small industries, waiving loans obtained by them and establishing a central arecanut corporation. Stating that 2,800 hectares, of the 42,000 hectares of arecanut plantations, had been affected by the disease in the district, he criticised the State Government for failing to come to the aid of the affected farmers. He said the appeal would include announcing relief measures for coffee growers. He said members of the delegation will attend a three-day training camp on the Right to Information Act. This would help them fight corruption, he added.

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