Bengaluru, Jul 14: The Karnataka government on Tuesday made changes to the Land Reforms Act 1961 through an ordinance to allow non-agriculturists to buy and own farmland for farming.
“The Land Reforms Act has been amended through an ordinance and notified after Governor Vajubhai R Vala gave his assent to it on Monday night,” a Revenue Department official told media persons.
It now permits non-farmers to buy farmland and grow food crops. But they can’t use it for other activities.
“Sections 79 A, B and C of the Act have been repealed, paving way for bona fide citizens to invest in farmland and take to farming as a hobby, passion or additional occupation, which is rewarding,” the official said.
The amended Act will enable the state to attract investment in the farm sector and boost food output. The farm sector’s contribution to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been less than the manufacturing and services sectors over the last two decades.
Criticism by farmers, the Congress and the JD(S) since the cabinet approved changes on June 11 forced the state government to retain section 80 of the Act, with an amendment, to prevent sale of dam water irrigated farmland.
“The ordinance has also added a new section (80A), which says relaxations under the Act will not apply to land given to farmers under the Karnataka SC and ST (Scheduled Caste and Tribe) Act 1978,” the official said.
The changes permit mortgage of farmland only to the state-run institutions, firms and cooperative societies specified in the Act. The ordinance also makes legal cases pending in courts against the sections amended redundant as the new Act addresses the concerns raised in them.
“Besides generating substantial revenue for the state government, the Act will now allow farmers who find the occupation non-remunerative and risky due to droughts/floods and labour shortage to sell their surplus land to urban buyers,” the official said.
Ruling BJP Rajya Sabha member KC Ramamurthy from Bengaluru said the amended Act would allow any citizen to buy farmland.
“Though hundreds of people petitioned successive governments for the past 45 years to abolish the ‘draconian’ sections, they were ignored. I compliment Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Revenue Minister R Ashoka for the decision to allow everyone to buy farmland irrespective of their occupation or profession,” Ramamurthy told media persons.
Bhatkal, Aug 8: In spite of stern warning to so called cow protectors by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a group of Hindutva activists on Sunday assaulted a cattle transporter near a village in Kumta of Uttara Kannada district.
Comments
Kya modi kya lodhi...
These goons don't care for anyone....now even their baba Modi....all feku dramas
This cow exactly looks like Modi
Good development .....Taste of own medicine...... Any one involved in cattle transportation should be treated like this.....
Muslim vendors will not understand this, unless their legs and backs are broken
Nice cow!
PM Modi have approved real Cow vigilantes, he is disapproved only Fake Cow protectors
Another point to be observed is, PM Modi is concerned about attack on Dalits (Because of Vote Bank) Not other communities
Bjp started this menace with cheddi ideas now they cannot control the stupid idoits who make this non sense cow ards
Yes it is Prime Minister who has warned. Not Congress Government . The state congress government is working in accordance to the instructions of RSS. Mr. Parameshwarayya should resign for all these goondaism happening in our districts.
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