Demand soars for purchase of agricultural land in Karnataka

The purchase and sale of agricultural land in the state has increased during the past seven months. There has been a significant increase in turnover since the passage of the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act. With the increase in farmland registration, government revenues are also on the rise.

Bengaluru:More than eleven months after the BJP government in Karnataka passed the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act that liberalised farmland ownership despite opposition, there is an increase in the purchase of agricultural land in the state. The act facilitated the easy purchase of agricultural land and enabled non-agricultural people to buy agricultural land. The government had amended the Land Improvement Act by relaxing the rule for the sale of agricultural land, thereby removing the income threshold for farmland.

Significant increase in farmland turnover

The purchase and sale of agricultural land in the state have increased during the past seven months. There has been a significant increase in turnover since the passage of the new Amendment Act. With the increase in farmland registration, government revenues are also on the rise.

According to an internal report of the Revenue Department, agricultural land sales and purchases have increased. According to the report, about 67% of agricultural land transactions have gone up. There was less registration before the Land Reform Amendment Act came into effect. But after the passage of the Act, the stamp and registration fees have gone up by about 127%, Revenue officials said. Despite a lockdown in May and June, farmland registrations have risen. There has been a significant increase in revenue collection for the past seven months. The increase in farmland registration has resulted in a recovery in revenue collection, officials added.

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In the September session last year, the BSY government amended the Karnataka Land Reform Act, 1961. The act, repeals Section 79(A) that sets a limit of non-agricultural income at Rs 25 lakh to buy agricultural land, Section 79(B) that bars non-agriculturists from purchasing agricultural lands, and Section 79 (C) that deals with penalty for falsely claiming eligibility to hold agricultural land.

In the previous act, a family of four could only buy a 54-acre farm. The family with more members than this was allowed to buy 108 acres of farmland. However, as amended by rule 63, a family of four members can purchase 108 acres of farmland and 216 acres of farmland with more members.

However, many farmers organisations have expressed concern increase in the ceiling enabled large corporates to buy land in bulk, which will be detrimental to farmers and the rural economy and also accused the businessmen and real estate mafia behind the purchase of farmland.

Many farmers are financially distressed due to Covid and have also taken loans for their lands. Against this background, many farmers are selling their land. "Farmers are selling their land because of the rise in the price of agricultural land," Farmer leader Kurubur Shantakumar said.