Mangaluru: A Karnataka delegation led by Union minister Pralhad Joshi met Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss concerns of arecanut growers and traders over the movement of arecanut-carrying vehicles in Maharashtra.Udupi-Chikmagaluru MP Kota Shrinivasa Poojary, who was part of a delegation, including MPs and arecanut cooperative bodies, said that the delegation highlighted that the detention of arecanut-laden vehicles in Maharashtra, despite them carrying all valid documents, has caused severe hardship to arecanut growers, cooperative societies and traders from Karnataka and other southern states. They urged the Maharashtra govt to immediately release the detained consignments and implement a transparent and permanent mechanism to ensure the smooth movement of arecanut consignments with valid documentation in the future.Representatives of MAMCOS, CAMPCO, TUMCOS, and the Karnataka State Arecanut Marketing Cooperative Federation also participated in the meeting and apprised the Maharashtra CM of the issues faced by arecanut growers. The delegation expressed confidence that the Maharashtra govt would take the necessary steps to safeguard the interests of arecanut farmers and address their legitimate concerns.Former minister and MLA Araga Jnanendra, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, and office bearers of arecanut cooperative institutions were presentMP Chowta said arecanut is a major commercial crop across large parts of Karnataka, sustaining lakhs of farming families and supporting a vast ecosystem of traders, workers, transporters and cooperative institutions. Protecting their livelihoods and ensuring seamless interstate trade is of utmost importance, he added.
