Chikkamagaluru: Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Kota Shrinivasa Poojary promised to make prompt efforts to come up with a permanent solution to the district’s revenue and forest land issues and elephant problems. While addressing the coffee planters and farmers in Hangaravalli, he mentioned that revenue and forest land issues fall under the jurisdiction of both central and state govts. It needs collective efforts irrespective of political parties to resolve the issue, and a meeting will be convened under the leadership of district minister KJ George, he said.Officials and public representatives should plan and implement solutions that will benefit future generations. Without this, the fundamental problems from the past will not be resolved, he said.“Efforts are being made to exclude coffee from the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI Act). Many farmers have already benefited from a package provided. Overall, let’s address the district’s issues in a non-partisan manner through discussions between officials and public representatives,” he stated.Dinesh Devarunda, Coffee Board chairman, highlighted the need for farmers to participate in workshops organised by the board to raise awareness about coffee pricing and other developments. He mentioned discussing the troubles faced by farmers due to the SARFAESI Act with the Union finance and commerce ministers. He advocated for keeping DRT for loan recovery but excluding SARFAESI, as it could lead to land mafia issues. Scientific research should be conducted to find a solution for the elephant menace, he added.Farmers’ leader S Vijay Kumar mentioned that hundreds of farmers are waiting for rights documents after submitting applications under Form 57 in the district. However, the govt stated that Form 57 does not apply to plantation land, resulting in many applications being rejected, and raised the issue in the assembly and urged for a solution. Arun Kumar, president of the Baiguru Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, District Farmers’ Association president Ratheesh Kumar, Dayakar, Sridhar, Mahendra, Deepak Doddayya, Keramaki Mahesh, Tulasigowda, Raju, Dileep, Mailimane Poornesh, and others were present.
