Karnataka: Council passes bill that eases buying farmland

master

December 9, 2020

KEY STORY

Amid nationwide farmers’ protest, the Karnataka legislative council on Tuesday passed amendments to the land reforms act that do away with most restrictions on buying farmland.

The BJP government, which faced embarrassment by failing to get the bill passed in the previous session and had to reissue an ordinance, achieved its objective this time with ready help from JD(S).
The Karnataka Land Reforms (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed with a voice vote after the Congress opposed it.

Land reforms: JD(S) votes made the difference
The Karnataka Land Reforms (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020, replaces an ordinance brought in by the government in July.
The Act repeals Section 79(A) that sets a limit of nonagricultural income at Rs 25 lakh to buy agricultural land, Section 79(B) that bars non-agriculturists from purchasing agricultural lands, and Section 79 (C) that deals with penalty for falsely claiming eligibility to hold agricultural land.
The bill was put to vote on Congress’s request. Amendments were passed 37-21. All 10 JD(S) votes made the difference; nine Congress members were absent.

“We did not have enough numbers to stall the bill. Yet, we demanded a voice vote to expose JD(S), whose leaders call themselves ‘sons of the soil’ and claim theirs is the only party that fights for farmers,” said opposition leader SR Patil. During the debate, the Congress termed the bill a death knell for farmers as it feared corporates will buy large parcels of farmland. “Once the income cap is removed, we will see rich people entering Karnataka and buying farmlands. This will push back the state into bonded labour,” said Basavaraj Itagi.
Revenue minister R Ashoka, who moved the bill, said it will remove corruption by lower-rung government officials and unnecessary court cases against innocent people who want to till only their land. “Our intent is to safeguard farmers’ interest and encourage youngsters to enter the farming sector. There is no hidden agenda here,” he added.
CM BS Yediyurappa said the government will ensure there is no change in land-use pattern in places which see high irrigation work. “Also, we won’t change the status of SC/ ST land.
These days, farmers are well informed to know what’s good and bad for them. Our intent is not to create roadblocks for the farmers, but to ease their lives and livelihood,” said Yediyurappa.