Govt to blacklist cos selling inferior BT cotton seeds

Belgaum, Dec 3. The companies which sold inferior BT Cotton seeds would be blacklisted if they fail to pay compensation to affected farmers who suffered huge crop losses this year due to below standard seeds, Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda said today. "Well-known companies which sold inferior BT Cotton seeds will be blacklisted if they fail to pay compensation to affected farmers.....," he told the Legislative Council here. Gowda said the government has received a large number of applications from affected farmers demanding compensation from the companies who had sold inferior seeds. "In next two weeks, the government will ensure that the companies release compensation to farmers," he assured the house. Replying to the issue raised by nominated member Tara Anuradha during question hour, he said agricultural scientists appointed by the government had confirmed that the seeds sold under "Kanaka" and Nitti Plus" brand names are inferior. Byregowda said BT cotton was sown in total of 5.10 lakh hectares during 2013-14 in districts coming under Belgaum, Haveri, Chitradurga, Davangere, Dharwad, Bellary and Gadag. Anuradha demanded that the government act immediately as poor farmers are under distress due to crop loss.