Modi says Govt is ready to discuss all issues, asserts farm laws give farmers freedom
Prime Minister Naredra Modi, in his mega-outreach to farmers, on Friday said his Government is ready to talk with them on all issues with an “open mind” on “facts and logic” and not on the basis of the “lies spread by Opposition parties”.
He claimed that new farm laws offer “all alternatives” and “gateways” to the farmers to sell their produce and increase income.
Speaking to the farmers of six-States, Modi strongly backed agricultural laws and gave enough indication that though he was ready to remove any “fault” in them, his Government has no rollback plan as demanded by the agitating farmers on the outskirts of Delhi.
“Don’t mislead by lies of others and think on facts,” said Modi and alleged that that the agitation was being fuelled by Opposition parties.
Modi said TMC-ruled West Bengal, which is “blocking” cash benefits to farmers in the State coming from the Central schemes, is supporting farmers protest.
The Left-ruled Kerala which has already done away with the APMC “mandi system,” is also doing the same.
Modi interacted virtually with the farmers and asked them questions on the contract-farming and its “benefits”. He asked farmers not to be “misled” by the “lies” of the Opposition parties looking for “jari booti” (panacea) to resurrect their “falling political graph”.
Squarely blaming those with political agenda for the deadlock in the Government’s talks with protesting farmers, the Prime Minister said the protest which started with demand for guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) has now moved to seeking release of those accused of violence and making highway toll-free at the behest of the Opposition parties “who are firing from the shoulders of innocent farmers”.
“You would have seen that when the agitation started their demand was about
MSP guarantee. They had genuine issues because they were farmers. But then those with political ideology took over,” he said.
Defending new laws, the Prime Minister said they allow farmers freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the country, including through “mandis”. Modi said like in all sectors, modernisation in agriculture is the need of the time.
He said it is six-month since new farm laws have come into effect and “not a single mandi has been closed”.
Modi said the Centre is willing to resume the dialogue on all farmers-related issues, even with those staunchly opposed to his Government as long as the talks are based on “issues, facts and logic.”
He asserted that an overwhelming number of farmers across the country have welcomed the new laws and are already reaping the benefits, and listed out the BJP’s victory in panchayat elections across States, in which farmers were the main voters and including in areas surrounding protest sites.
“Despite that, farmers across the country have wholeheartedly welcomed agriculture reforms. I assure you that I will not let you down,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister alleged that the farmers’ protest is also being used now for opposing many existing policies.
Though the Prime Minister did not name any particular group, he made several references that appeared aimed at Left-affiliated outfits and other Opposition parties.
He said those with political agenda are not letting farmers engage in dialogue with the Government to address their concerns.
Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh, are camping on various Delhi borders for almost a month to protest against the three farm laws.
Modi released the installment of Rs 2,000 to every farmer on the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which is every year celebrated as “Good Governance Day” by the ruling party.
Under the PM-KISAN SAMMAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to small and marginal farmers, payable in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Several top BJP and Central Ministers also participated across the country in the “awareness campaign” (on farm laws) launched by the party.
Saturday, 26 December 2020 | PNS | New Delhi
