Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that, for the first time in decades, the Union government has crafted laws that benefit farmers, workers, women and other marginalized sectors.
In the context of protests by a farmers’ section and criticism from opposition parties of the recently passed farm bills, Prime Minister Modi lashed out at the opposition for “misleading” farmers.
“Many governments were formed after promising improvements to farmers and workers. But what did they get? Nothing; just a web of promises that neither farmers nor workers understood. Farmers were entwined with laws that prevented them from selling their products at the prices they wanted; consequently, although the product increased, their income did not increase, ”he said.
Addressing party workers on the 104th anniversary of the birth of Hindutva ideologue and Bharatiya leader Jana Sangh (BJS), the forerunner of BJP Deendayal Upadhyay, the prime minister said that over the years the farmers’ loan burden continued to increase.
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“The NDA government made unremitting efforts to change this. We have made well thought out decisions that are not for any political benefit (for us) but for the empowerment and benefit of farmers. Before we decided to give MSP, which was one and a half times the cost of production and created history, “he said.
After the Farmers Agreement (Empowerment and Protection) on Price Assurance and the Agricultural Services Bill of 2020 and the Agricultural Products Trade and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill of 2020 were passed in Parliament Almost a week ago, opposition parties criticized the government for drafting policies that favor big business. The bills would allow farmers to sell produce outside agricultural produce market committees (APMC), allow contract farming deals and create farm-to-fork supply chains. Opposition parties have argued that the new laws will limit APMC’s markets to their physical limits while allowing corporate buyers to land on farms.
The prime minister criticized these accusations, calling them “misleading” and said the government has made efforts to ensure that farmers receive the benefits directly through direct transfer. “We have also ensured that the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) is available not only to those with 2 hectares of land, but also to small and marginal farmers and those involved in fishing or animal husbandry. During the UPA era, the KCC received a core of Rs 20 lakh from farmers, which was increased to Rs 35 million during the NDA rule, ”he said.
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He said the new legislation will allow farmers to get the right price for their produce. “Small and marginalized farmers are the ones who will benefit the most from the changes that have been implemented in the agricultural and agricultural sector. Eighty-five out of 100 of them are from the small and marginal sections. For the first time they have an alternative option to sell their products, ”said the prime minister.
He urged BJP workers to speak about the provisions of these laws in plain language and tell farmers across the country what the laws are about.
Referring to the new labor codes, the prime minister said the laws have been simplified and will ensure that Rs 50 crore workers receive a minimum wage, whether they are in the formal or informal sector.
“Only 30% of workers until now received a minimum wage; now all industries, from hospitality to transportation, will be included in the scope of the law. Concerns about outsourced labor have also been addressed, they will be treated like regular workers and will be paid accordingly and will get the benefits of other policies as well. Those who travel from one state to another for work, their medical care and other needs will also be taken care of, ”said the prime minister.
The prime minister said the new laws will affect women who make up 50% of the workforce. Referring to the benefits of the caste-based reservation and the 10% reservation that has been extended to the economically backward sections, he said that a level playing field has been created for all.
“Our ideology and a political mantra are clear. Our mantra is the nation first, ”he said, referring to achievements such as the repeal of the application of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya that were achieved after“ decades of struggle ”.
The prime minister also praised the efforts of BJP workers in fighting the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and paid tribute to those who lost their lives while serving others.
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