Congress MLA Ashok Rai raises concerns over yellow disease in arecanut crops in DK district
Belagavi: Congress MLA from Puttur constituency, Ashok Rai has voiced his concerns regarding farmer suffering from the detection of yellow disease in arecanut crops in 10 villages of Sullia taluk during the discussion on drought in the Legislative Assembly on Friday here at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Rai highlighted that there is 37,317 hectares of land in 10 villages of Sulya Taluk. Of this, 11,449 hectares are agricultural land. Out of this, 5558 farmers have grown arecanut crop in 5111 hectare area and are suffering from yellow disease, he said.
“Even though the yellow disease has been detected in the arecanut crop, no relief has been announced to the farmers so far. Farmers are in debt. The price of arecanut per quintal has come down to Rs 410 from Rs 480-500.” He further demanded that Rs 700 per day should be paid to agricultural workers. “Amidst such conditions, the central government has cleared the nod to import 12 thousand tons of arecanut.”
He highlighted the need for the state agriculture minister to engage with the central government to address the challenges faced by arecanut growers in the state. Rai warned that if the yellow disease spreads from Sullia to Puttur, it could lead to more significant issues.
Additionally, Rai mentioned that the central government has submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that nuts contain nicotine. He urged the state government to engage in discussions with the Center to ensure that arecanuts from the state do not contain nicotine, addressing potential health concerns.
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
