BENGALURU:
Despite objections from the opposition parties, the Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved an ordinance to curtail the powers of the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC).
According to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy, only a few sections were amended, whereby farmers can sell their produce either at APMC yards or to private companies.
He said that anyone wanting to purchase directly from farmers will have to produce a bank guarantee and obtain permission from the directorate of agricultural markets. There will be no hassles of middlemen in this system, the minister added.
Opposition parties have opposed the ordinance, saying it will hurt farmers’ interests.
Governor Vajubai Vala had recently returned the ordinance on procedural grounds.
