CHITRADURGA: N.Y. Hanumanthappa, MP, has alleged that the Union and State governments have neglected the welfare of oilseed growers.

Speaking at a function to inaugurate a newly constructed oil-packing unit and the foundation-laying of an administrative building for the Regional Oilseed Growers Cooperative Associations' Federation here on Sunday, Mr. Hanumanthappa said that the Union Government's policy of importing oilseeds had hurt the interests of farmers.

He said that instead of importing oil, the Government should encourage oilseed farmers and establish processing units at the local level. This would not only boost the industry but would also help the farmers gain economic stability. Mr. Hanumantappa said that four districts — Chitradurga, Davangere, Bellary and Raichur — were known to produce oilseeds, such as groundnuts, in large quantities. The Government should tap this potential and set up industries in these districts, he said.

He urged the Government to provide better support prices for these crops so as to prevent exploitation of farmers by middlemen.

Minister for Planning and Small Savings Ramachandra Gowda expressed happiness over the growth of the cooperative sector in the State.

He urged cooperatives to procure oilseeds directly from the farmer, as this would help them save a lot of money on the transportation of their produce and also stem the menace of middlemen.

Mr. Gowda said the Government had given loans to the tune of Rs. 25,000 crore to farmers, at four per cent rate of interest.

G.H. Tippareddy, MLA, urged the Government to provide farmers of groundnut a subsidy of 75 per cent on their produce, as they had faced losses of crops owing to the failure of rains.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti, Manohar Maski, MLC, and Deputy Commissioner K. Amaranarayana were present.

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