BENGALURU: A bandh would be observed across the state in Karnataka on Monday by various farmers’ organizations, protesting the amendments to the APMC and the land reform laws made by the government of BS Yediyurappa.
The call for bandh from dawn to dusk has been supported by various pro-Kannada groups and others besides the opposition Congress and the JD (S), who had opposed the amendment bills in the assembly. It also has the backing of various labor organizations protesting against amendments to certain labor laws during the short assembly session that ended on Saturday. Warning of severe action against any forceful application of bandh, the state government has said that it will take all necessary measures to ensure that there are no interruptions in the normal operation of its offices, hospitals, shops and establishments and the maintenance of taxi services. and buses. . He has defended the bills, saying the measures were taken with the intention of freeing farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the state or country. Police said they have taken elaborate security measures to make sure no adverse incidents occur.
According to farmers’ organizations, they will hold statewide protests during the bandh.
In Bengaluru, a protest march has been planned from City Hall to Mysore Bank Circle against “anti-farmer” laws, they said.
With some freight haulers, taxi drivers and rickshaw drivers announcing their support for the bandh, their services are likely to suffer. Additionally, private bus services may also be affected.
However, the public transport bus and metro services are likely to function normally.
The main deputy minister, Laxman Savadi, who is also in charge of the transport department, has clarified that, the services of the four state road transport corporations and even the Metropolitan of Bengaluru Transportation corporation will be available, and the police department has been requested to provide additional security.
However, some protesting organizations, including pro Kannada organizations, have said that they will try to stop bus services and will also organize a “rail roko”.
Hotels and restaurants are likely to work and most of them do not decide to close citing that business is still not gaining momentum after closing. Schools and universities are still open due to the Covid situation. Karnataka Prime Minister BS Yediyurappa claimed on Sunday that his government was pro-farmers and tried to ignore the bandh, saying there was “no room” for unrest.
Ensuring that people can continue their daily activities normally without any fear, Finance Minister R Ashoka warned against any move to forcibly enforce the bandh or participate in incidents such as stoning.
While some stores and establishments may not work depending on the situation; Government offices, banks and post offices will remain open, along with all essential services and supplies. The city’s police commissioner, Kamal Pant, said that “we have not given permission for protests to anyone and senior officials have been deployed to monitor things. We will not allow anyone to shut down or stop activities by force,” he said warning of a strict action according to law. if there was any infraction. Measures will also be taken under the Disaster Management Act due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, adding that civilian police will also be deployed in addition to regular personnel.
Despite stiff opposition from opposition parties, especially Congress, the Yediyurappa administration succeeded in having the Karnataka Agricultural Marketing (Regulation and Development) Bill (Amendment) and the Land Reform Bill of Karnataka (2nd Amendment) will be passed in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday. .
While the amendments to the agrarian reform law liberalize ownership of agricultural land, the APMC amendment bill restricts the powers of local Agricultural Products Marketing Committees (APMC) and allows individuals to initiate agricultural trade. , if they have a permanent account number (PAN).
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