APMC amendement bill passed by K'taka Council
Bangalore, July 23 (UNI) The Karnataka Legislative Council today unanimously passed The Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2007.
The Bill enabling setting up of private marketing yards and taking up contract farming among other things, was already approved by the Lower house.
Speaking on the Bill, Minister for Agriculture Marketing Sharanabasappa Darshanapur said the amendment, aimed at helping farmers get remunerative prices for their produce, was already in force in many other states.
Opposition Leader H K Patil, speaking on the discussion, suggested the government ensure the Cess collected from the trading of farm products be remitted into the Farmers Welfare Fund and not to the Government Treasury as envisaged in the Bill.
He said that the Bill may pave way for forming new markets in accordance with liberalisation but the true spirit on which the APMC Act was originally enacted should be maintained.
Several other members, including V S Ugrappa, Veeranna Mathikatti (both Cong), M P Nada Gouda and Marithibbe Gouda also participated in the discussion before the amendment bill was put to voice vote and passed unanimously.
UNI