HDK defends support to land reforms Act amendment

Bengaluru: Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday clarified his position after his party JD(S) found itself at the centre of criticism for supporting Karnataka Land Reforms (amendment) Act in the Legislative Council.

"Opposition party is not there to merely oppose. It has to fulfil its responsibilities in a constructive manner. JD(S) has treaded such a constructive path with respect to the amendments to Land Reforms Act by protecting the interests of farmers," he said.

Explaining his stand, he added that though it's true that his party had opposed the Land Reforms Amendment Bill, particularly some of its contents, in the beginning when it was proposed by the BJP, the JD (S) also clearly stated the changes to be brought about in the Bill.

"Though the Congress too had opposed the Bill, it desisted from mentioning anything about the changes to be effected. Its resistance did not go beyond merely opposing the Bill. Prominent changes have been made to the legislation as suggested by the JD(S). The earlier version of the Bill provided for a maximum individual holding of up to 248 acres. However, it has now been removed following our suggestion," he elaborated.

Kumaraswamy said that JD(S) sought to keep the principle and spirit of land reforms that "tiller is the owner of the land" and it now stands retained.

"In fact, Mr. Siddaramaiah himself had constituted a Cabinet sub-committee under the chairmanship of V. Srinivasprasad when he was the CM to review the need for 79 (a,b) and its pros and cons. But now Mr. Siddaramaiah has adopted an enigmatic silence on the issue. It should be noted that it is because of the efforts of the JD (S) that it has become possible for people from non-farming families to pursue their interests in farming," the former CM added.

Reminding his critics about the waiving of loans to the tune of Rs 25,000 despite the opposition nobody patted his back.

"No one came to my support when I stepped out of power after implementing the promise made to farmers. Now also I am alone when I am able to achieve reforms."

"Let those criticizing me, scrutinize my pro-farmer stands and study our pro-farmer programmes. Being a person who is walking the path of Deve Gowda who hails from the farming community and rose from the dust, both myself and JD (S) will not deceive the soil and sons of soil," he added.