Siddaramaiah asks BJP government in Karnataka to repeal two agriculture laws introduced last year
Bengaluru(PTI): Calling on the ruling BJP in Karnataka to take a cue from the Narendra Modi government, which repealed the farm laws, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday demanded that the state immediately repeal the APMC (Amendment) Act and the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, introduced last year.
"The state government was also party to the three black laws thrust upon the farmers by the Narendra Modi government, which has now repealed the three laws and washed away its sins. Now it is the turn of the BJP government in the state," he told reporters.
The two laws were introduced last year by the BJP government amid protest by the opposition Congress.
Siddaramaiah, the Leader of the Opposition, alleged that the intention behind introducing the APMC Amendment Act was to open the doors for private players to directly approach growers by bypassing the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMC).
"If the APMC (Amendment) Act comes into effect, the state government will not have any control over the traders and it cannot monitor their activities. It cannot collect duty, fees and levy. It's like complete surrender," the Congress leader said.
According to him, only six per cent farmers are availing the benefit of APMC, while 94 per cent are not using it. He demanded that the state government set up APMCs in various places so that farmers can get the benefit out of it.
Siddaramaiah also charged that the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act was aimed at benefiting land grabbers.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
