Farm laws: APMC sees 50% decline in cess collection

The cess collection at Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMC) has significantly reduced due to the open market of agricultural produce, making it difficult to manage the APMCs.

The issue was raised during the quarterly review meeting of Karnataka Development Programmes (KDP), chaired by District In-charge Minister S T Somashekar, at Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Monday.

An officer said that many farmers are selling their products at the open market following the amendment to the APMC Act. The APMC at Bandipalya in Mysuru had collected Rs 2.01 crore cess in November, December and January 2019-20. But, the collection was Rs 1.47 crore during the same period in 2020-21.

According to the officer, there is a 50% decline in cess collection. It has become difficult to maintain APMCs due to shortage of funds.

However, the minister said that the government will take care of it and the amendment to the Act will help farmers.

Congress MLA H P Manjunath suggested conducting a survey to find whether the amendment will help the farmers or not. The godown lying vacant at the APMC will get income if they are rented. The government invested crores of rupees for the construction of godowns, he said.

In 2019-20, the APMC in Mysuru had targeted to collect Rs 21.69 crore cess and collected Rs 21.16 crore. In 2020-21, it has set a target to collect a cess of Rs 24.35 crore.

Somashekar charged Excise department authorities for not following Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s directions to shift wine stores near schools. “Don’t you have value for CM’s direction? I need a detailed report on Tuesday,” the minister said.

Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri recommended cancelling the license of the wine store rather than shifting it.

It has to be recalled that the CM, during his recent visit, had directed the authorities to shift the liquor shops following request from a few school managements.