Updated: November 30, 2020 4:31:23 pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the inauguration of the 6-lane Prayagraj-Varanasi section of the NH-19, in Varanasi (PTI)
Against the background of furious protests by farmers in and around the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. farmers were being empowered giving them options for a larger market and the “reforms have given them new options and legal protection.” Opening the six lanes of the 73 km Varanasi-Prayagraj National Highway project during his visit to his constituency of Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi said that improved connectivity in a region would benefit farmers.
“When connectivity in a region improves, it also benefits farmers there. Farmers are being empowered by giving them options for a bigger market. Reforms are being carried out in the interest of farmers, giving them more options. Shouldn’t a farmer have the freedom to sell his produce directly to those who offer better prices and facilities? ”Prime Minister Modi said at the launch event.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, and the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, who personally supervised the preparations for the event.
Despite PM Modi’s reach, farmers have rejected the Center’s invitation for conditional conversations and reiterated their demand for the repeal of the three “pro-business” agricultural laws. Farmers have been camping outside Delhi since Friday.
Varanasi: Devotees perform ‘aarti’ at Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the Ganges River, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Varanasi (PTI Photo)
Hitting the opposition for “cheating” farmers on new farm lawsPM Modi said: “Previous government decisions were opposed, now rumors have become the basis of the opposition. Propaganda is spread that, although the decision is correct, it may have other consequences, about things that have not happened or will never happen ”.
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With farmers expressing concern that the new farm laws were an indirect way of eliminating the purchase of wheat and rice under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) program, PM Modi said the promise to give 1.5 times more MSP to farmers according to the Swaminathan Commission.
“This promise was not only fulfilled on paper, but also reached the farmers’ bank account. Before, loan exemption packages used to be advertised, but the benefits of such schemes never reached farmers, ”he said.
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After the event, Prime Minister Modi visited Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and inspected the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor project.
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Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in Deepotsav celebrations on the Ganges ghats. This is the first time that the Prime Minister will attend Dev Deepawali, which is held on the 15th day after Deepawali. PM Modi will light the first diya in Rajghat. Arrangements have been made for more than 15 lakh diyas, up from 10 lakh last year, which will be lit at 80 ghats.
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