A delegation of arecanut growers, led by Karnataka Home Minister Aaraga Jnanendra, will meet Union Ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in Delhi on Thursday, seeking restoration of curbs on the import of arecanut from neighbouring countries.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Mr. Jnanendra, Arecanut Task Force Chairman, said the delegation would urge the Centre to restore the import customs duty on arecanut at 110% to safeguard the interests of growers of Karnataka. The crop is largely grown in Malnad and coastal districts of the State.
The delegation said that some importers had found loopholes in the Central government notification issued in February 2022 and imported the commodity at ₹271 a kg without paying the import duty of 110%. Mr. Jnanendra urged the Centre to restore the customs duty at 110% on import of all varieties of arecanut.
