Karnataka MPs, areca growers meet Amit Shah in Delhi, urge him to stop illegal import of areca

A delegation of Karnataka MPs and areca growers met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to urge him to take action against the illegal import of arecanut, a commodity that is negatively impacting native growers. The group, which included B.Y. Raghavendra, Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Satish Chandra, and Araga Jnanendra, submitted a memorandum detailing the challenges faced by areca growers, including diseases affecting yield and rising cultivation costs.

The delegation highlighted the illegal movement of foreign-origin arecanut through land borders and ports, as well as potential misuse of import classification and trade documentation. They called for stricter vigilance in the inspection of consignments classified as roasted nuts and seeds, and urged the Union Minister to enforce the minimum import price of ₹351 per kilogram.

The delegation also requested a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs to enhance surveillance and prevent illegal imports at vulnerable entry points.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.