Farmers Movement Archive

Karnataka Assembly adopts two farm Bills

The Legislative Assembly on Saturday adopted two agriculture-related Bills that have faced stiff opposition from farmers. The Karnataka Land Reforms (Second) Amendment Bill, 2020, passed in the morning, enables non-agriculturists to purchase farm land. The Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Bill, 2020, adopted in the afternoon, permits farmers to sell their produce outside APMC yards. While the Congress opposed the first Bill and staged a walkout, the Janata Dal (S) spoke in support of the changes. The APMC Bill was opposed by both the parties and they walked out during the Minister’s reply. The Bill on land reforms was passed after an amendment to the ceiling of land in the original Bill, while removing restrictions on purchase of agricultural land. It also said ‘A’ class irrigated land should be sold only for agricultural purposes and banned sale of land granted to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. During the discussion on the Bill in the House, Revenue Minister R. Ashok moved an amendment and retained the land ceiling limit mentioned in the parent law, Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961. An Ordinance and the original Bill had proposed to double the ceiling areas for a person or a five-member family from 54 acres to 108 acres (10 to 20 units) and for a 10-member family from 108 acres to 216 acres (20 to 40 units). But the Minister moved the amendment and retained the 1961 Act’s ceiling to 54 acres (10 units) for a person or a five-member family and a maximum of 108 acres (20 units) for a 10-member family. The Bill omitted Section 79 (A), which removed income limit for purchase of land. Earlier, a person having non-agricultural income up to Rs. 25 lakh was eligible to buy farm land. It deleted Section 79 (B), which under 1961 Act barred non-agriculturalists to own the land. The Bill also omitted 79 (C), which earlier empowered the tahsildar to scrutinise the purchase of land and issue notice in case violation of 79 (A) and 79 (B).

The Hindu

2020-09-27

Bengaluru