COFFEE INCLUDED IN PERENNIAL CROP FOR RELIEF

RESERVED AMOUNT:WAITING FOR CLEARANCE

Madikeri Jan. 24: There is hue and cry for release of rain damages to coffee growers in the district. The grower organizations are organizing protest against the district administration and the Govt. Surprisingly about Rs. 3 crtore 50 lakh is reserved by the district administration for the crop damages of 2007-08. But, Deputy Commissioner is waiting for the Govt. order whether coffee is included in perennial crop list. Recently M.C.Nanaiah M.L.C and also the chairman for assurance committee tackled the revenue secretary Naryanaswamy and natural calamity department secretary Prabhakar in a meeting held at Bangalore and demanded the immediate measure to send the order to deputy commissioner to distribute the amount to growers who are really affected. He quoted that in Chicklmagalur district already the relief amount has been distributed. The secretaries agreed that coffee comes under perennial crop and the relief could be distributed. They agreed to send the order to deputy commissioner immediately in this regard.

When “Times” contacted Deputy Commissioner Ashwathnarayan Gowda in this regard he stated that the amount is reserved for the purpose and could be distributed to the affected growers as soon he receive Govt. order.

Meanwhile “Times” came to know that the district administration has failed in conducting survey for the year 2008-09 pertaining rain damages to coffee crop in the district and did not sent any recommendations to Govt. So, the growers are missed to receive any relief for the 2008-09 crop although many applications are pending in district administration office. Clarifying about not conducting the rain damages survey during 2008-09 they accepted that as there was no clear order for the reserved fund, without any clearance they hesitant to conduct fresh survey The lack of administrative efficiency has further affected the growers and grower associations are moving for protest against this negligence attitude.