The Hindu : Karnataka News : Govt. planning to amend APMC Act, says Hukkeri

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 16, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Govt. planning to amend APMC Act, says Hukkeri

Staff Correspondent

`The aim is to end exploitation of farmers and improve facilities at yards'

BELGAUM: The State Government is considering amending the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act to provide better protection and facilities to farmers as well as traders.

Disclosing this to presspersons here on Sunday, the Minister for Agriculture Marketing, Prakash B. Hukkeri, said the objective behind the move is to end exploitation of farmers and improve the services and facilities at APMC yards in the districts.

However, he said that the amendment will not be rushed through.

The Minister said he will hold consultations with all concerned such as farmers' groups, traders' associations, and leaders of Opposition parties on the issue.

Mr. Hukkeri said he will meet the Janata Dal (S) leader and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, and seek his guidance on improving the lot of growers.

Mr. Hukkeri, who is also the district in-charge Minister, disclosed that National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs. 734.04 lakhs as loan for development works under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund programme in the district.

Medical colleges

The Government, which has decided to start all the six new medical colleges from 2005-06, has sanctioned 100 seats to each of them.

Mr. Hukkeri said the Government also sanctioned Rs. 21 crores towards building infrastructure for the college in Belgaum.

The Government will apply to the Medical Council of India to start the first year MBBS course from this academic year itself. A MCI team will visit the city.

Meanwhile, the Government has appointed a 15-member committee for expeditious development of the new colleges. The Medical Education Minister heads the committee with district in-charge Ministers concerned as co-chairpersons.

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