Buying farmland easier, after Karnataka Government amends the Land Reforms Act

The Karnataka government on Thursday has decided to amend the Land Reforms Act, 1961, by making it easier to buy agricultural land in the state.

The government has also decided to bring changes to the law so as to increase the cover on how much agricultural land a person can own. 

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy told PTI that the cabinet has decided to bring in an Act to revoke Sections 79 a, b, c and 80. Along with this, Section 63 which was there under land holding provision, has been doubled. Even though Section 79 a, b, c will be abolished, but with one condition. It will not be applicable to cases that have already been decided. 

Initially, non-agriculturists could not purchase agricultural property and even those with an agricultural background could not purchase farmland if their annual non- agricultural income exceeded Rs 25 lakh.

Similarly, only educational, religious institutions, companies, cooperative societies among other exceptions could purchase agricultural land. 

Madhuswamy also noted that tech-professionals who are earning well and want to invest in agriculture but cannot, because of restrictions can also purchase agricultural land. 

So with an intention of agriculture growth and also to facilitate industries, because such restrictions are not there in Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh or other neighbouring states, and anybody can go and buy land there, the step has been taken.

The Minister further said by amending section 63, it would increase the ceiling on land holding from 10 units to 20 units for an individual without family or a family up to four people, and from 20 units to 40 units for large families with more than five people.

The government plans to bring a bill in this connection during the next session of the assembly.

The cabinet has also decided to rename Bengaluru Central University as Bengaluru City University, and the Government Science College in the central college premises as Nrupatunga University, by giving it the University status.

It has also decided to have one open university functioning in the state while other universities should stop their open university activities, the Minister said, adding that Karnataka State Open University in Mysuru, would be the only open university operating in the state.

The cabinet has also decided to withdraw 53 cases registered in various police stations of the state-linked to incidents like Ganapati idol immersion, pro-people and farmers' agitations among others.

The State Government has also decided to bring an amendment to Karnataka Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, making provision for sales agreement.

This would be a binding document for both the builders and the buyers on all aspects related to the sale of a property that would be considered by law, the Minister said. 

Among the other cabinet, decisions were taken to conduct cooperative societies election other than Sugar factories that were held up due to COVID-19 situation, administrative approval for up-gradation of 1,307 existing health sub-centres and 1,694 primary health centres into health and wellness centres, and approval for the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Amendment Bill 2020 among others.