Summary:
The group of farmers accused the state government of “trying to preach, rather than listen” to their grievances.
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Farmers of Karnataka met BS Yediyurappa on Friday to talk about the three contentious farm bills passed in the parliament and amendments proposed in the Karnataka Assembly over farm and labour laws.
The delegation of farmers who met CM Yediyurappa after the meeting said that the talk between them has failed and the farmers will continue with the proposed statewide bandh on Monday.
The group accused the state government of “trying to preach, rather than listen” to their grievances.
Farmer organisations have been protesting on a clutch of bills proposed on the farm sector, including those which allow the purchase of agricultural land by non-agriculturists, as well as amendments to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, allowing farmers to sell outside Mandis to private players.
Farmer organisations claim that these acts as well as proposed changes to the electricity act in the state would be detrimental to their interests.
“He is not willing to go against (PM) Modi’s orders.
He merely offered to tweak one of the provisions regarding ceiling of landholding as per Land Reforms Act.
This was clearly not enough.
So we are left with no choice but to go ahead with the protests,” member of the delegation said.
On Friday the state also witnessed sporadic protests with traffic being blocked in some parts due to farmers’ agitation on the issue.
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