BJP to distribute coconuts to public on Jan 5

BJP farmers wing will distribute 2 lakh coconuts to public free of cost in its stir on Jan 5 in all districts in the state to press the government to take steps to protect coconut growers.  

At the wing's meeting, the wing state president G.K.Nagaraj said coconut cultivated area is 4.63 lakh hectares in TN and its share is 31.5% in the national coconut production.

BJP wanted distribution of coconut to public alongwith Pongal gift hampers as the ryots were suffering much due to steep fall in coconut price. While the Centre's minimum support price for copra is Rs 108.65 per kg, it was sold at Rs 110 per kg during the ADMK rule and Rs 80 per kg in DMK rule.

So, a piece of coconut or coconut milk, which is more nutrient, should be given with midday meal to students, coconut oil be distributed as an alternative to palm oil in ration shops, a special committee be set up to save the loss-making coconut based units,  and the rigid norms imposed on such factories, be relaxed.