Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Sep 28: "I am the son of a farmer. I will always support farmers. No injustice will be done to the farmers due to the amendment to the Agriculture Act," said Yediyurappa, chief minister (CM) of Karnataka.
Yediyurappa spoke to the scribes at his home office Krishna in the city on Monday, September 28. He further said, "Farmer organizations are protesting due to the plot hatched by Congress. I made an attempt to call the leaders of farmer organizations and speak to them. I have explained the benefits from this Act. But they have come with the intention of protesting. I am not fond of the CMs chair. I will never allow anything untoward to happen to the farmers.
"Due to the amendment to the APMC Act, farmers can sell their produce anywhere. We have not closed the doors of APMC. Farmers can sell their crops to APMC also if they wish. Within six months to one year, you will come to know yourself,” he said.
Speaking on the Land Reform Act amendment, Yediyurappa said, "Anybody can do agriculture related activities due to the amendment to this Act. Industries can be set up on land that is not used for agriculture. However, agriculture should be done only in land that has irrigation facilities. This amendment is there in the bill.
"I hereby appeal with the farmer organizations not to create confusion in the minds of farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented this Act with good intention. He has formed several programmes that are beneficial for the farmers. Farmers are given money under the Kisan Samman project. I am the son of a farmer. I will never do injustice to the farming community. You carry on with the protest today but come for discussion later. If any amendment is required in the bill let us do. Do not try to mislead the farmers,” he said.
Cabinet expansion soon - CM Yediyurappa
CM Yediyurappa said that he will expand the cabinet soon.
Yediyurappa held a press conference and said that he will be going to Delhi within three days and expand the ministry once he returns from the capital.
CM Yediyurappa has already visited Delhi and held discussions with national president of BJP J P Nadda with regards to the expansion of the cabinet. Nadda had promised the CM that he will discuss the same with PM Modi and inform Yediyurappa.
BJP high command has already planned for reshuffling the cabinet rather than expanding it. Some ministers of Yediyurappa's cabinet will be dropped and new MLAs will be given an opportunity.
It is said that MLCs MTB Nagaraj and R Shankar are sure to get minister positions. Discussions are held to drop ministers including C T Ravi, Shashikala Jolle and Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Cabinet expansion is likely to happen in the month of October and discussions are on in political circles of the state as to who will get the ministerial nod.