Title: Need to check unauthorised cultivation of tobacco in Karnataka.
SHRI Y.V. RAO (GUNTUR): The tobacco crop size originally fixed for Karnataka for 2001-02 was 42 million Kg. However, 20 million Kg. of unauthorised tobacco was being produced and the proposal for regularising 60 million Kg of tobacco and 23,000 unauthorised barns was brought in the meeting of Tobacco Board on 2.11.2002. However, no decision was taken and the matter was deferred for next meeting of the Board fixed for 23.11.2002. Instead of waiting till 23.11.2002, the Tobacco Board took an administrative decision on 8.11.2002 for increasing the crop size in Karnataka. Again, in the meeting of the Board on 23.11.2002, the Board was made to ratify the administrative decision.
I request the hon. Minister of Commerce to look into the matter and ensure control of unauthorised crop, otherwise farmers producing authorisedly will suffer heavily. I also request the Minister to look into the matter as to whether the crop size can be revised without amending the rules in the mid crop-season.