Will take firm decision on anti-farmer agricultural laws implemented by BJP: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)

The government will take a firm decision on the anti-farmer agricultural laws implemented by the BJP government.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government will take decisions,keeping the farmers interest in view.

He was speaking with the farmers delegation led by legislators B.R Patil and Darshan Puttannaiah who met him today.

The Land Reforms Act has been discussed and a clear decision will be taken within the next session.There was a discussion in the House today about the amendment of the APMC Act.He said that a separate meeting will be held to discuss the problems of farmers in detail.

MLA B.R Patil said that some issues which have been left out of the budget should be discussed and the APMC Act amended by the government needs be discussed.

Welcoming the implementation of 5 guarantees and amendment of the APMC Act, the delegation said that some issues need discussion.

The manifesto said that the amendment to the Land Reforms Act should be withdrawn.They said that it should be withdrawn as soon as possible and opined that amendment should be farmer centric, ban on cattle slaughter should also be withdrawn.

Agricultural Price Commission should be given a legislative form and a revolving fund should be provided.

They said that they oppose the central government’s politicization of the ration system by not giving rice. They suggested that farmers can directly be engaged to provide food grains to the PDS.The farmers requested that the government should protect the interests of the farmers.

Minister for Agriculture Cheluvarayaswamy, Minister for Horticulture S.S.Mallikarjun and farmer leaders were present in the meeting.