Mangaluru : The CAMPCO President S.R.Satishchandra, along with  Konkodi Padmanabha and other Arecanut growers met the Union Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman at New Delhi on 28th June, 2016.

Cooperative heads like Sri.H.S.Manjappa, Yedegere Subrahmanya, Vice President, MAMCOS, Shivamogga, TUMCOS Chennagiri, TSS Sirsi and Karnataka State Arecanut Cooperative Societies Federation headed by Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mr.Ananth Kumar and other Union Ministers D.V.Sadanada Gowda,G.M.Siddeshwara and B.S.Yediyurappa, Karnataka State BJP President including Local MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Ayanur Manjunath and former Minster Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, MLA;Araga Jananedra, MLA; D.N.Jeevaraj MLA Sringeri also met the Union Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman and presented a Memorandum to ban the import of Arecanut.

Arecanut production in our Country has doubled over the years. Karnataka contributes to nearly 60% of the Country’s total production and lakhs of Families depend on this crop. Hence our Country is self sufficient in Areca Production and Imports are not necessary. The influx of Arecanut from Neighbouring Countries has greatly contributed to the domestic price fall. As an alternative the Government should atleast intervene and take suitable steps to stabilise the price, the Delegation requested. Areca import should be completely banned and if allowed only good quality of Arecanut may be imported. Reduction on Excise Duty on production of Pan may be favourably considered and a representation in this regard has already been submitted to Sri.Jayanth Sinha, MoS for Finance, Govt. of India.

The Union Minister assured the delegation from Karnataka that her Ministry is working out measures to control import of Arecanut so as to alleviate the grievances of Arecanut Growers. Imports would be completely banned subject to certain International treaties and Agreements. The Ministry would definitely plug import of Arecanut from Non Areca Growing Countries.

Expressing concern over the crash in Arecanut Prices, the Minister pointed out that despite increasing the Minimum Import Tariff to Rs. 162/- per Kg on Arecnaut, the Traders continue to import by paying Excise duty. Hence, there is a need to check such import based on quality and if possible completely curb and the Ministry will work towards these measures she said. The Ministry would soon come out with a formula to provide assistance and relief to Growers and on the whole stabilise the Areca Market, the Minister assured. Press Release