Date:17/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081754690600.htm

Karnataka

Samiti wants APMC amendments to stay

Staff Correspondent

HUBLI: The Karnataka Rajya Pakshateeta Raita Hitarakshana Samiti has urged the State Government not to withdraw the amendments to the APMC Act.

In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, the samiti said that the farmers of the State had welcomed the Government’s move. However, it was the merchants who were against the amendments, they said.

Samiti president B.M. Hanasi, convenor Rajashekhar Menasinakai, farmers’ leaders V.S. Kenchanagoudra, D.T. Patil and others have alleged that it was because of the merchants and agents that the farmers were subjected to exploitation.

Good aspects

They contended that there were several good aspects in the amended Act such as direct purchase from farmers, farmer-customer purchase centre, contract farming and payment of money to farmers through APMC and so on, which were not being conveyed to the farmers.

In the memorandum, they urged the Chief Minister not to yield to the pressure from the merchants.

The amendments should not be withdrawn at any cost, they added.