Updated: September 19, 2020 9:25:06 am
Modi said that the passage of the bills has freed the farmers of “our annadatta” from the restrictions that bound them. (File / Photo PTI)
Hailing the passage of two agrarian bills in Lok Sabha on Thursday as a “historic day for the country in the field of agricultural reforms,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the opposition on Friday for “spreading lies” and ” mislead “farmers about legislation.
Speaking via video link at a ceremony to inaugurate new rail lines and electrification projects in Bihar and dedicate the Kosi Rail Mahasetu to the nation, Modi said: “Some people who ruled this country for decades are trying to fool farmers. about this theme”.
His comments came a day after SAD Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, his party is one of the BJP’s oldest allies, resigned from the government in protest against the Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill. 2020 Farm Products Agreement, and The Farmers Agreement (Empowerment and Protection) on Price Guarantee and Farm Services Bill, 2020 – Proposed laws have brought farmers out onto the streets in Punjab and Haryana. In Lok Sabha, Congress led the opposition’s attack on the bills, calling them “draconian”.
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Modi said that the passage of the bills has freed the farmers of “our annadatta” from the restrictions that bound them. “These reforms will ensure that they get better alternatives, more opportunities to sell their products … the middleman between the farmer and the consumer would always keep a large part of the farmer’s income. To save the farmer from the middleman, it was necessary to bring these laws. These will now be a shield (raksha kavach) for the farmer. “
He said changes to the agricultural market provisions in the APMC Law were also promised in the electoral manifestos of the opposition parties that now oppose the reforms. He said “lies” are being spread that the government will not grant the MSP benefit to farmers.
The government, Modi said, is committed to offering a fair price to farmers through PEM and public procurement will continue as before. With the new regulations coming into force, he said, farmers can harvest their harvest and sell it at the desired price in any market in the country.
Referring to Nitish Kumar, the Prime Minister said that the Chief Minister of Bihar, realizing the damage caused by the APMC Law, removed this law in the state.
He listed government initiatives to improve the lives of farmers: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, neem-coated urea, building a cold storage network, investing in food processing industries, and creation of agricultural infrastructure. background.
The prime minister said the government is constantly working to increase farmers’ income. A nationwide campaign is also underway to protect livestock from disease. He urged farmers to be on the lookout for those who “cheat” them.
“Those who talk about protecting farmers actually want to keep farmers in bondage. They are supporting the middlemen and supporting the looters of the farmer’s income, ”he said.
The Prime Minister dedicated the Kosi Rail Mahasetu to the nation and inaugurated new railway lines and electrification projects in Bihar; the state will soon go to the polls.
“Projects worth roughly Rs 3,000 crore such as Kosi Mahasetu and Kiul Bridge, electrification projects, Make-in-India promotion on railways and a dozen job creation projects are launching today. These projects will not only strengthen Bihar’s rail network, but will also strengthen rail connectivity with West Bengal and eastern India, ”he said.
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