Puttur: A delegation of Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Green Army (Hasiru Sene) met the new CM,  Devaragunda Sadananda Gowda at his official residence in Bangalore on  September 12, and urged him to stop agricultural loans repayment by force, in Coastal districts and Kodagu as well to demit crop loans, and to provide a special package for the areca farmers in these areas.
The delegation dwelt on pests and diseases affecting areca palms since 3 years, and tried to convince the CM of their sufferings, seeking his help to alleviate losses.
CM Gowda responded to the delegation demands, and told the members that necessary instructions would be passed on to Co-operative Banks not to collect loan installments back until March 2012, and promised to take up the case of Arecanut growers with the Centre for Concessions under a special package of rehabilitation.
The CM accepted the fact of farming members losing 60% of areca crops due to seasonal heavy rains. He told them that he was an Areca farmer, as such realized their difficulties, and assured help soon. The delegation was led by Kodihalli Chandrashekhar with Ravi Kiran Poonacha, B. Sridhar Shetty, Ananda Gowda of North  Coorg and Cyril Crasta among others in it.