Bengaluru, August 14: Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra has accused the state government of harming the interests of farmers and areca nut producers through its decision to impose a ban on gutkha. He stated that this move has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among farmers across the state.
Addressing a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha on Friday, Vijayendra highlighted that large-scale cultivation of areca nut occurs in Karnataka’s coastal and Malnad regions, with thousands of farmers relying on this crop for their livelihoods.
He pointed out that approximately 949,000 hectares in the country are dedicated to areca nut farming, with 676,000 hectares located in Karnataka alone, accounting for nearly 76 percent of the total areca nut cultivation in India.
“Despite having this information, the government is spreading confusion by announcing the gutkha ban. This has instilled fear among areca nut producers, who suspect that the Congress government and the Chief Minister are trying to harm their interests,” Vijayendra stated.
He mentioned that representatives from the Central Areca Nut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited, along with other farmer organizations, will meet with the Chief Minister. He urged the government to refrain from making any decisions that could negatively impact farmers’ interests.
“I have requested a meeting on Monday or Tuesday. We will appeal to the Chief Minister not to take any decisions that would harm areca nut producers,” he added.
Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra noted that areca nut is cultivated in nearly 145 taluks across the state, with over one million farmer families depending on this crop. Following the proposed ban on gutkha and pan masala, prices of areca nuts have begun to decline.
He confirmed that a large delegation of areca nut producers will meet with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday or Tuesday to demand the protection of farmers’ interests. “It is the responsibility of the Karnataka government to safeguard areca nut producers,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government is reportedly considering retracting the gutkha ban order just days after its implementation. Legislators from various political parties have opposed the ban, stating it will adversely affect areca nut producers in several districts.
Sources indicate that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has instructed officials to withdraw the order related to the gutkha ban in Karnataka. This issue was also raised during a cabinet meeting on Thursday, where the Chief Minister questioned how such an important order was issued without his knowledge and demanded an explanation from the health department secretary regarding the lack of prior discussion on the matter.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.