I will never be unfair to farmers, says Yediyurappa
BENGALURU:
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has called Monday’s Karnataka bandh by farmers protesting against farm bills a ‘conspiracy’ designed by the opposition Congress.
At a presser at his home office ‘Krishna’, the CM said, “I tried calling the farmer leaders to explain the benefits of the amendments. But they have come to stage a protest.”
‘Come for talks’
With the amendment to the APMC Act, farmers can sell their crops anywhere. Besides, farmers can continue to sell any produce at APMCs, he said. “I will never be unfair to the farmer community. At least come for a discussion, If there are any changes to be made in the bills, let us do it,” he said.
“We have cut the commission that brokers were getting. The APMC cess has been cut from 1.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent,” he said.
On the amendment to the Land Reforms Act, the CM said irrigated land can be purchased only for agriculture. Only barren land can be used for industries, and SC/ ST land cannot be purchased. “In addition, a family of 5 can buy no more than 54 acres of land,” Yeddyurappa said, adding that the same rule was in place earlier.
‘JDS backed changes’
The CM pointed out that the JDS had supported the amendments, and the opposition had only come from the Congress.
