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“Sections 79 A, B and C of the Act have been repealed, paving way for bona fide citizens to invest in farmland and take to farming as a hobby, passion or additional occupation, which is rewarding,” the official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.
Mangaluru, Jul 4: In the wake of mounting coronavirus cases in Dakshina Kannada, all jewellery shops district will be closed for five days from July 5 to July 9.
The decision was taken by the Dakshina Kannada district unit of Jewellers’ Association.
All the jewellery shops including corporate jewellery shops in Manglauru and other parts of district will remain closed for five days, a media release said.
Madikeri, Apr 22: The quality of water in the River Cauvery in Kodagu district has improved significantly following the nationwide Lockdown.
The discharge of effluents from home stays and resorts situated on the banks of the river in the district has stopped due to lack of visitors. The discharge of waste water had made the river impure all these years.
The suspension of boat ride in Dubare has reduced the pollution from diesel motorboats in the river. For the last few years, the water quality of the river had reached 'C' category from 'B' category during the summer.
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We are already facing lot of problems here without food and money.
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