K.G.F IN WAIVER ATTEMPT

Madikeri Feb.15: Karnataka growers federation (K.G.F) delegation met Veerappa Moili ex. Chief minister in New Delhi and briefed him the problems of coffee growers caused by lower production affected due to untimely rain. The delegation headed by the KGF chairman Dr. N.K..Pradeep and the Karnataka planters association (KPA) chairman Ajay Thippaiah gave a memorandum to Veerappa Moily requesting him to influence the commerce ministry to completely waive off Rs. 600 crore pending loan upto last December irrespective of the acreages maintained by the coffee growers. Moily wrote s letter to the commerce minister Kamalnath to consider the grievances of growers. The delegation disclosed to “Toins” that the commerce ministry will take appropriate decision soon favouring the growers demand.

The KGF office bearers allege that the Coffee Board Chairman G.V.Krishna Rao had neglected the growers appeal and after protest from the organization the board has sent recommendation to the Govt. to waive off the loan, but, it was too late to convince the secretariat officials.

During last month KGF Had met the commerce minister and the secretary and explained the problems faced by the growers. During the conversation kamalnath, the minister had instructed the delegation to send recommendations through coffee board. When, the delegation met the chairman and requested him about the development, he had sent the adverse report quoting the production of coffee estimated at 1050 k.g per hectare on average basis and thus misguiding the ministry.The coffee production has come down to 50% lesser than the annual average . The chairman had not the courtesy to discuss with his fellow members before taking the decision-allege kGF office bearers. Ultimately when the growers directly surrounded the coffee board office on Feb. 5th and protested, then only the chairman discussed the issue in the board meeting and sent the recommendations to the centre-explained the KGF office bearers.

KARNATAKA IS NOT NAXAL STATE

DR.V.S.ACHARYA

Madikeri Feb. 15: Karnataka as a whole is not a naxal state. Naxal activities are reported in three or four districts. Central Govt. has marked seven states under naxal movement,Karnataka is excluded in the list-disclosed Dr. V.SAcharya while answering to scribes who met them during his visit to Gonikoppal to attend a function arranged at Coorg public school, Gonikoppal in Kodagu.

Relying to the incident at Belgaum on Valentines Day he said that about 600 persons are arrested and investigation in progress.

Govt. has taken measures to curb terrorists and other criminal activities in the state .Anti terrorists,anti extreme terrorists,dedicated intelligence team,and coastal security squad are working to control these activities-Dr. Acharya explained. Special training is being given to police under the control of the IPS official Kempaiah.

About 1 lakh police personal are working in Karnataka. Still 8 thousand vacancies have to be filled. In Kodagu district about 27 posts has to be filled-Acharya told.

In Koppala Munirabad the advanced commando type of training is commenced to control the terrorist movement he explained. In Kodagu district special care is taken to watch the tourists’ movement especially in home stays Dr. Acharya added.