K’taka Bandh: Farmers to protest against state farm bills

Farmer’s organisation in Karnataka called for a state-wide bandh on Monday in protest against the amendments to the agriculture produce market committee (APMC) and land reform acts introduced by the B.S Yediyurappa government.

The demonstrations were against two important amendments to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act passed by the Karnataka Assembly despite strong objection by the opposition parties, mainly the Congress and JD(S).

The amendment to the KLR Act lifts restrictions on purchasing agricultural land and enables any individual to purchase it.

Earlier, the law permitted only the farmers to purchase agricultural land in the state.
With the new amendment, private players will be able to directly purchase agriculture produce from farmers, which were prohibited earlier.

Defending the bills, the government warned of stern action against any forcible enforcement of the bandh. All necessary steps will be taken to ensure that there is no disruption to the normal functioning of its offices, hospitals, shops and establishments and maintaining services of taxis and buses, it said.

Police have said that elaborate measures have been put in place to ensure no untoward incident occurred.