Bengaluru: After allowing private players into the agri-business sector, the state government has decided to allow people from all walks of life to buy farmland. With the idea of attracting more investment in the agri-sector, the government has decided to bring amendments to the land reforms act.

Briefing the media after a cabinet meeting, Law Minister JC Madhu Swamy said, “In Karnataka, we have land reforms with different sections. 79A says only those who are having less than Rs 2 lakh income can purchase land. B means only an agriculturalist allowed to purchase land. C means we have to file all sorts of documents while buying land.”

He said in the cabinet meeting a decision was taken to repeal all these provisions. “We are thinking that if there comes a man who can invest for good technology in agriculture, we have to facilitate him,” Mr. Madhu Swamy said. Mr. Madhu Swamy said Karnataka has also doubled the limitation for the holding of land.

Till now only those with nonagricultural income up to Rs.2 lakhs were allowed to buy farmland. There were restrictions on the total land holding by a family. “Now 63A, 79A and B columns of the land reforms act are being abolished making way for people from all walks of life to buy land,” said revenue minister R Ashok.

According to the decision taken by the government, any Indian citizen following any profession can buy farmland using income from nonagricultural sources.

As expected social activists including Padma Shri awardee Devanur Mahadev, Kadidal Shyamanna, etc have opposed the move. They warned that this will lead to serious consequences in the future. However, trade and industry bodies welcomed the move saying it will help bring more investment into the farm sector.