Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 18 December appealed to the Opposition, asking them to take credit for the farm laws but make lives of the farmers easier, hinting at the alleged agenda of the Opposition parties against the Centre’s new farm laws.
Addressing farmers at the 'Kisan Kalyan' event in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen through video conferencing, PM Modi also said that the farm laws weren’t formulated overnight, but were framed after years of discussions by successive governments.
“Farm Laws have not been introduced overnight. Over the last 20-30 years, central government and state governments had detailed discussions on these reforms. Agriculture experts, economists and progressive farmers have been demanding reforms,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
“I request all political parties with folded hands, please take all the credit. I am giving credit to all your old election manifestos. I just want ease in the lives of farmers. I want their progress and want modernity in agriculture,” PM Modi said.
Accusing the Opposition of misleading the farmers, PM Modi said that parties are ‘playing games’ over the issue.
“Political parties should stop misleading farmers. It's been 6-7 months since farm laws were implemented. But now suddenly, games are being played to plough one's own political land through a web of lies,” PM Modi said.
Praising the Kisan credit scheme, PM Modi said that Rs 16 thousand crore are being transferred into the bank accounts of 35 lakh farmers of Madhya Pradesh.
The prime minister’s address comes as thousands of farmers are protesting in and around the national capital over the Centre’s new farm laws, while several rounds of talks between the two sides remain inconclusive.
‘Wouldn’t Have Implemented Swaminathan Report If We Didn’t Want MSP’
PM Modi said that his government implemented the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report if the wanted to do away with the MSPs.
“If we had to remove MSP, why would we implement the Swaminathan Commission report? Our government is serious about the MSP, that is why we declare it before sowing season every year. This makes it easy for farmers to make calculations.” he said, as quoted by ANI.
“Swaminathan Commission report is biggest proof of how ruthless these people can be. These people sat on Swaminathan Commission report recommendations for eight long years...They ensured that their government doesn’t have to spend much on farmers, so they kept the report under wraps,” he said.
PM Endorses Agriculture Minister’s Letter
PM Modi on Thursday had endorsed a letter by Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar to the protesting farmers , in which he sought to clear the ‘lies’ surrounding the new farm laws introduced by the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to share Tomar’s words with as many as possible.
Will Defend the Laws Strongly: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the party headquarters, has decided to defend the three farm laws strongly through an ‘information campaign’ and mobilise farmers' support over it, IANS reported.
It was decided that a campaign should be run to counter the ‘disinformation’ being spread on the farm laws by the opposition parties and some organisations.
In the campaign, party workers and leaders will explain the benefits of the farm laws to the farmers.
The meeting started at 3:30 pm in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, other top leaders and party office bearers.
Tomar reportedly shared the issues raised by the farmers' organisations during the five rounds of talks held with the government, various aspects of farmers' protest and the challenges posed by the some farmers' organisation in resolving the issues.
It was also reportedly discussed in the meeting that some farmers' organisations have supported the laws and if they are given right information about the laws more organisations will support them.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS.)
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