From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 31: Amidst walkout by BJP and JD(S) members, the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013, which envisages introduction of warehouse based sales and single unified license to traders.

The amendments proposes grant of exemption from payment of market fee on fruits and vegetables to traders.

The expected revenue loss on account of the amendment is about Rs 7 crore.

Agricultural Produce Marketing and Horticulture Minister Shyamanoor Shivashankarappa introduced the Bill in the house.
 
The Bill envisages introduction of market reforms in the marketing sector by introduction of warehouse based sales, single unified license to traders and improved marketing access and thereby expected increase in trade volumes and consequently increase of higher market fee collection, the minister explained.

However, no market fee would be levied on flowers, fruits and vegetables and the marketing committee would collect user charge from buyer of the produce at such rates specified in the bye-laws approved by the Director of Agriculture Marketing, he said.

The Director of Agriculture Marketing would issue trader license to operate as trader in any of the APMC yards, private market yards in the state.

The existing licensee should obtain a fresh trade license within a period of six months from the date of commencement of the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Second Amendment) Act, 2013.

The Bill envisages establishment a direct purchase centre to purchase notified agricultural produce directly from an agriculturist.

It also proposed to set up a Registering Authority for addressing disputes arise out of contract farming. It would resolve the dispute in a within 30 days from the date of reference of dispute by giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Earlier, BJP and JD(S) members said the Bill was not in the interest of the farmers and demanded its withdrawal.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, K G Bopaiah, Basavaraj Bommai, visvesvara Hegde Kageri, Appachu Ranjan, C T Ravi, Govind M Karjol (all BJP), leader of the Opposition H D Kumaraswamy, Shivalinge Gowda and Y S V Datta (all JD-S) urged the Government to withdraw the Bill and refer to the joint House committee for detailed study.

Apprehensions raised by Opposition members on warehouse facility, single unified license, and facilities at APMC would be addressed during the framing of the rules to the Act, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra assured.