Karnataka : 2 important amendments to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act passed by the Karnataka Assembly despite strong objection by the opposition parties, mainly the Congress and JD(S).
Earlier, before these amendments , only farmers were allowed to purchase lands of Karnataka’s farmers. Now with these amendments, farmers will be able to sale their lands to non-farmers as the government lifts restrictions on purchasing agricultural land to non-farmers. An amendment in the APMC act allows direct purchase of agricultural produce to private players.
The Government of Karnataka to encounter protests by the pro farmer organizations and opposition parties. They gave the call for a Bandh given by the Karnataka Raitha Sangha (Karnataka Farmers’ Association) and other farmer organizations. Which is supported by the Congress, JD(S), Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) and the Left parties, at important locations in Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Ballari, Raichur, Chitradurga, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Bidar, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dharwad and Davangere among others.
The farmers alleged that the APMC Act amendments will deprive them of the minimum support price and enable multinational companies and big corporate houses to directly procure produce at their rates.
The Congress, which has extended support to the protests, said it will stage a demonstration in front of its office on Race Course Road in Bengaluru.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday had appealed to the protestors not to create unnecessary confusion over the amendments.
Stating that he had spoken to leaders of farmers organizations, Yediyurappa said his government’s stand and the expectations of the Prime Minister were in favor of the farmers.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka had said there would be no scope for the bandh from the government’s side.
