Karnataka Cabinet clears Bill to ease 'diversion' of farmlands

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved a Bill to amend existing land laws allowing the diversion of agricultural plots up to two acres for the establishment of new industries.

The Karnataka Land Reforms and Certain Other Law (Amendment) Bill is expected to come up in the monsoon session of the legislature starting August 11. The Bill will amend provisions of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act and the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.

At present, any person holding land being used for agricultural purposes must apply with the deputy commissioner for permission to divert it for non-agricultural use, as per Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. The government wants to relax this requirement if land up to two acres will be given for industrial use.

Similarly, under the same section, the government has proposed doing away with the need to convert agricultural land for non-agricultural use for the establishment of renewable energy projects.

Further, the government is proposing to remove a three-year imprisonment clause for people who sell agricultural land for non-agricultural use without prior approval. At present, this offence carries a fine of Rs 10,000 along with three-year imprisonment. While removing the imprisonment clause, the government wants to hike the penalty to Rs 1 lakh.

Jail term ranging from six months to one year for failing to declare landholdings under Section 66 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act is being dropped, as per the proposed amendments. The penalty amount is being hiked from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000.

The Cabinet approved 16 other Bills. This includes the Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief And Rehabilitation) Bill.

In other decisions, the Cabinet discussed the methodology of the upcoming Social & Educational Survey (or caste census).

Briefing reporters, Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said it was decided that the survey would be carried out using digital tools. Also, the survey will rely on the latest available electoral roll.

The Cabinet also decided that a 'married daughter' would be considered for employment on compassionate grounds. At present, employment on compassionate grounds is given to the brother, sister, grandson, unmarried granddaughter, daughter-in-law, widowed daughter and widowed granddaughter.