Congress govt to table Bill on APMC Act amendment in next Assembly session

BENGALURU: The Congress government in the state has now set its sights on undoing the amendments to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act introduced by the previous BJP government.

The BJP government had brought in amendments in line with the central APMC Act of 2017 to allow companies and businesses to directly purchase farm produce from farmers, allowing farmers to sell in any APMC in the state and also avail the benefit of online trading. The BJP had claimed that the amendments were aimed at making the APMCs more competitive.

However, the Congress has claimed that the amendments favoured capitalists and corporates and made the APMCs weak. The party also argued that since agriculture is a State subject, the Centre should not interfere and had also expressed doubts if farmers would get payments immediately.

Law Minister H K Patil and Agricultural Produce Marketing Minister Shivanand Patil.

Now, the Congress government plans to bring back the old system and businesses and companies will not be able to directly buy from farmers. On the other hand, farmers will have to sell their produce through APMCs and online trading will be brought under a new rules. There will also be provision to prevent the menace of brokers.

Law Minister H K Patil on Wednesday held a meeting with officials in this regard and said fresh amendments will be tabled in the next session of the Assembly which starts from July 3. “The amendments were brought in against the interest of the nation. Though the Centre withdrew the three farm bills, the amendments to the APMC Act were continuing here. In the interest of farmers, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said the amendments should be withdrawn.

Agricultural Marketing from Cooperation Minister Shivanand Patil, who also participated in the meeting, said, “The amendments did not benefit the farmers and their income too had reduced. Hence, the CM suggested bringing in fresh amendments, which will be tabled in the next Assembly session”.