Legislative Assembly defers discussion on APMC Bill

Bangalore, July 16 (UNI) Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Krishna today deferred the discussion on the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2007 following a request from Law and Parliamentary affairs Minister M P Prakash.

Earlier, Agricultural Marketing Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanpur tabled the Bill on the floor of the House and explained the need to introduce it following recommendations made by the Centre to improve the functioning of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees in the state. Nineteen states had already implemented the Bill, he pointed out.

While Opposition leader N Dharam Singh welcomed the Bill, other Opposition party leaders including Janata Dal (Secular) leader P G R Sindhia criticised the objectives and suggested that it be referred to a joint select committee for perusal. It would be detrimental to the interests of the farmers, they contended.

Intervening during discussion Mr Prakash agreed that the Bill needed a relook and that he would speak to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in this regard. He appealed to Speaker Krishna to defer the discussion till tomorrow and the speaker obliged.

UNI