Coastal K’taka, Malenadu MLAs request Rs 25 crore package in budget

Mangaluru: A delegation of ministers and legislators from coastal Karnataka and Malenadu region appealed to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday for a one-time Rs 25 crore package in the budget for those who lost their areca crops to the yellow leaf disease and to adopt an alternative crop.

The MLAs also requested the chief minister to direct high-level research on yellow leaf disease.

Speaking later MLA S Angara said that many areca farmers in the Malenadu region are suffering due to the yellow leaf disease that has affected their areca plantations. They need a relief package and assistance in changing over to alternative crop cultivation. The CM has been requested to clear the loans of farmers suffering from the yellow leaf disease in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Shimoga, Kodagu and Tumkur districts. The CM has responded positively to our request.

MLAs S Angara, Kota Srinivas Poojary, R Shankar, Sanjeeva Matandur, Harish Punja, Rajesh Naik, KG Bopayya, Araga Jnanendra were part of the delegation.