Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 23: Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has stated that union agriculture minister has assured immediate action in response to the growing threat of yellow leaf disease affecting areca plantations across Karnataka.
The assurance came following a high-level meeting in New Delhi, where MPs from areca-growing regions and leaders of related organisations submitted a detailed representation regarding the challenges faced by areca growers.
Speaking at a press conference in Mangaluru after the conclusion of the Parliament session, MP Chowta said, “We met the union agriculture minister and requested him to personally visit affected areca plantations and take urgent remedial steps. We also urged the government to expedite research at AIIMS and ICAR to conclusively determine whether areca is carcinogenic or not. The minister responded positively to all our appeals.”
Chowta said three key appeals were made during the meeting: swift compensation for areca farmers hit by yellow leaf disease; the formulation of action plans for alternative cropping in afflicted regions; and a direct central intervention led by the Agriculture Minister.
KIOCL faces shortage of iron ore; MP seeks State’s intervention
Chowta also raised concerns about the operational challenges faced by the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL) following the closure of mining activities in Kudremukh. “Due to the lack of raw material (iron ore), the KIOCL plant is struggling. I held talks with union minister for heavy industries H D Kumaraswamy and union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging the state government to supply iron ore to KIOCL.”
He further revealed that the company has already paid the Karnataka government for the required ore and requested that the state now facilitate the supply to allow the factory to resume operations without further delay.
Parliament engagement: 34 questions raised, coastal development highlighted
Sharing his activities from the latest Parliament session, MP Chowta said he had raised 34 questions in the House, touching on key issues such as coastal Karnataka’s drug trafficking problem, activities of extremist groups, and regional infrastructure development.
“I have demanded the establishment of a Maritime University for port-led development and a data centre in Mangaluru to boost its potential as an IT hub. The Electronics and IT Minister responded positively to the proposal,” he said.
Chowta also pointed out the need for strict action to stop the import of areca nut through Least Developed Countries (LDCs), a loophole that affects local areca growers. “I requested the central government to take effective steps to curb such imports that damage the interests of Indian farmers,” he added.
On Dharmasthala developments: ‘Let truth prevail through SIT’
When asked about the ongoing developments in Dharmasthala, Chowta responded firmly, saying, “Dharmasthala is a place of deep faith for millions of Hindus. Any attempt to tarnish its reputation based on a single incident is unacceptable. The BJP had first welcomed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and we want the truth—whatever it may be—to come out.”
Chowta was accompanied at the press conference by BJP leaders Satish Prabhu, Rajgopal Rai, Ravindra Shetty Ulikatte, Pooja Pai, Manohar Shetty, Nandan Mallya, and Vasant J Poojary.