BENGALURU: Want to build a dream home on a farmland away from the city's hustle and bustle but the law doesn't allow that? Soon, non-agriculturists whose income is less than Rs 25 lakh per annum will be able to buy farmlands in Karnataka, thanks to the government which is planning to amend the Karnataka Land Reforms Act.
The Karnataka Land Reforms Act now does not allow non-agriculturists whose income is more than Rs 2 lakh per annum to buy farm land. Any person who does not own agricultural land in Karnataka is a non-agriculturist.
"The low limit hasn't helped either farmers or the government, which is losing out on revenue as land transactions are taking place with people providing false information on income and land value. So, we have decided to introduce an amendment bill to raise the income limit in the Belagavi session," law and parliamentary affairs minister TB Jayachandra said.
Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagaram, Kodagu, Chikkamagalur are some of areas that are likely to gain, officials said. "The prices have already gone through the roof in these areas following the real estate boom over the last few years. They are expected to further increase after the ceiling limit goes up to Rs 25 lakh, resulting in revenue for the government through registration and stamp duty," a senior revenue official said.
Welcoming the government's decision, Farook Mahmood, chairman and managing director of Silverline Group, said: "There is more interest among high-net-worth individuals and professionals with high income to buy farmland close to the city where they work. The earlier limit of Rs 2 lakh was ridiculous. If a person doesn't have the basic income, how can he/she buy land?''
Om Ahuja, CEO, residential, Brigade Group, added: "Farmers who own land will benefit. It will also keep fly-by-night operators away from the real estate sector."
However, farmer leaders have opposed the idea. "The farm sector is already reeling under crisis and farmers are selling their lands to realtors. By raising the income limit, there is more danger of cultivable land being sold away. This will eventually lead to food crisis. The government should frame rules to safeguard cultivable land from selling and buying," said C Mallesh, a farmer leader.
Suresh Hari, secretary, Credai, Bengaluru, said: "The real good thing is making agricultural land available for all without unnecessary governmental control. Of course, necessary protection needs to be in place so that the livelihood of marginal farmers is not affected and only the non-productive lands find end-user."
"The low limit hasn't helped either farmers or the government, which is losing out on revenue as land transactions are taking place with people providing false information on income and land value. So, we have decided to introduce an amendment bill to raise the income limit in the Belagavi session," law and parliamentary affairs minister TB Jayachandra said.
Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagaram, Kodagu, Chikkamagalur are some of areas that are likely to gain, officials said. "The prices have already gone through the roof in these areas following the real estate boom over the last few years. They are expected to further increase after the ceiling limit goes up to Rs 25 lakh, resulting in revenue for the government through registration and stamp duty," a senior revenue official said.
Welcoming the government's decision, Farook Mahmood, chairman and managing director of Silverline Group, said: "There is more interest among high-net-worth individuals and professionals with high income to buy farmland close to the city where they work. The earlier limit of Rs 2 lakh was ridiculous. If a person doesn't have the basic income, how can he/she buy land?''
Om Ahuja, CEO, residential, Brigade Group, added: "Farmers who own land will benefit. It will also keep fly-by-night operators away from the real estate sector."
However, farmer leaders have opposed the idea. "The farm sector is already reeling under crisis and farmers are selling their lands to realtors. By raising the income limit, there is more danger of cultivable land being sold away. This will eventually lead to food crisis. The government should frame rules to safeguard cultivable land from selling and buying," said C Mallesh, a farmer leader.
Suresh Hari, secretary, Credai, Bengaluru, said: "The real good thing is making agricultural land available for all without unnecessary governmental control. Of course, necessary protection needs to be in place so that the livelihood of marginal farmers is not affected and only the non-productive lands find end-user."
Source : Toi
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