Gutka ban blow to farmers, arecanut growers: K’taka BJP

Bengaluru, Aug 14 (IANS) Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra has alleged that the state government is attempting to “strike at” farmers and arecanut growers through its move to ban gutka, creating fear and uncertainty among cultivators across the state.

Addressing a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha on Friday, Vijayendra said arecanut cultivation is concentrated largely in the coastal and Malnad regions of Karnataka and that many farmers depend on the crop for their livelihood.

He said arecanut is cultivated across around 9.49 lakh hectares in the country, of which 6.76 lakh hectares are in Karnataka, accounting for around 76 per cent of the country’s total arecanut cultivation.

“Despite having all this information, the government is creating confusion by announcing a gutka ban. It is creating fear among arecanut growers,” Vijayendra said.

He alleged that arecanut growers suspected the Congress Government and the Chief Minister were trying to harm their interests.

Vijayendra said representatives of Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co‑operative Limited (CAMPCO) and other growers’ associations would meet the Chief Minister. He urged the government not to take any decision that would adversely affect farmers.

“I have requested that a meeting be scheduled on Monday or Tuesday. We will meet the Chief Minister and urge the government not to take any decision that causes hardship to arecanut growers,” he said.

Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra said arecanut is cultivated in around 145 taluks of Karnataka and that more than 10 lakh farmer families depend on the crop.

He alleged that the notification on the proposed ban on gutka and pan masala had already led to a decline in arecanut prices.

He said a large delegation of arecanut growers would meet Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday or Tuesday and urged the government to protect farmers' interests.

“Protecting arecanut growers is the responsibility of the Karnataka Government,” he said.

The BJP’s criticism comes amid controversy over the government’s move to ban gutka, with growers and legislators concerned that restrictions on gutka and pan masala could reduce demand for arecanut and, in turn, hurt farmers’ incomes.

The Karnataka Government is contemplating withdrawing its gutka ban order within days of its implementation, following strong backlash from legislators across party lines who raised concerns about its impact on arecanut growers in several districts.

Sources confirmed on Friday that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has already directed officials to withdraw the order banning gutka in Karnataka, after legislators expressed strong opposition and highlighted the adverse impact on farmers.

The issue reportedly came up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, where Shivakumar questioned how an order of such importance could have been issued without his knowledge.

He reportedly questioned the Health Department Secretary over the decision and asked why the matter had not been discussed with him before the order was issued.