Bantwal: Cheques towards compensation to areca growers affected by Kole disease in various places of Bantwal taluk,  were distributed by State Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader at a function held at Gopalkrishna Auditorium at Mudipu on Saturday June 28. The function was organised by the Revenue Department.

Apart from areca growers, cheques were also distributed to beneficiaries under National family Pension Scheme and various other pension schemes of the government.

Speaking on the occasion, Khader said there was no need for growers who have not received compensation to fret as the pending applications would be reconsidered.

Khader said several rural roads have been developed in the past one year period and added more roads would see development in six gram panchayat limits in the days to come.

He further informed that  9121 applications for  compensation to areca growers have been  approved and of the Rs 6.5 crores the government has already released Rs 5.4 crores.

Devadas Bhandari, President of Kurnadu Gram Panchayat presided over the function. ZP members Santosh Rai Mamatha Gatti, former member AC Bhandari, TP Chief Yashwanth  D, Revenue Inspector Narayana Poojary and others were present.