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“Sections 79 A, B and C of the Act have been repealed, paving way for bona fide citizens to invest in farmland and take to farming as a hobby, passion or additional occupation, which is rewarding,” the official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, Jan 25: Dinesh Amin Mattu, the media advisor to chief minister Siddaramaiah, has said that he condemned communalism cutting across religious and political groups.
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PFI / SDPI only future hopes. for \United India\""
1 clarification,
PFI, SDPI are emerged to defend the communalism of all these RSS, VHP, BJP non-secular groups.
SDPI are definitely a secular minded political party. Getting more popularity amongst Dalits.
As Monu said, there is no comparision of crimes between
I wonder ......some time even secular minded people to show as secular use the comparison of Organizations such as PFI and SDPI to Fascist RSS , VHP and Bajrangdal.......there is no similarity between these ideologies............except organizing power and discipline .....
PFI never raped and killed innocent Indian citizens
PFI never indulged in anti anti national activities
PFI never took law into hands
PFI never wanted an Islamic state in INDIA
PFI always hoisted Indian national flag in all its programs
....etc etc etc
this is so sad to that second time Mr.Mattu used PFI and SDPI as shield to show secular face
We need such honest and fare mind politician, because of these great human being still humanity is alive in this communal society. May God bless you sir!!
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