Defending Agri Laws, PM Tears Into Opposition For Misleading Farmers; Releases Rs 18,000 Cr Fund | HIGHLIGHTS

PM Modi addressed the nation where he spoke about the farm laws and targeted the opposition parties for misleading the farmers.

BJP party workers watch PM Modi's address on working for the welfare of hardworking farmers, at party office in Bikaner. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, released Rs 18,000 crore as the second installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme which will benefit over 9 crore farmers. Under the PM-KISAN 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. After releasing the second installment, PM Modi addressed the nation in which he spoke about the farm laws and targeted the opposition parties for misleading the farmers. He also said that the government is ready for talks over the new laws.

Here are 10-key takeaways from PM Modi’s speech

1. PM Modi on Friday released Rs 18,000 crores as the next installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to over 9 crore farmers. 2. Attacking Mamata Banerjee for depriving the farmers of West Bengal of taking advantage of the Central Government, PM Modi said that over 70 lakh farmers of the state have not been able to get benefit from the scheme. 3. He said that more than 23 lakh farmers of Bengal have applied online to take advantage of this scheme, but the state government has stopped the verification process. Moreover, Bengal is the only state which is not allowing benefits of the schemes to reach the farmers. 4. Pointing towards the opposition, he said that Mamata Banerjee's ideology has destroyed, her actions against the farmers have hurt him a lot and why is the opposition quiet over the issue. PM Modi again took to the opposition, as asked why it is quiet over Kerala & WB, as there are no APMCs in both the states. 5. Talking about the new farm laws, PM Modi said that with the new laws, farmers can now sell their producce to anyone, anywhere in the country, wherever they get the best price. 6. Talking about the laws made by the previous governments, PM Modi said that those who remained in the govt previously for several years left the farmers on their own. Promises were made and forgotten. Due to the agriculture policies of the previous govt, the poor became poorer. 7. As thousands of farmers are protesting against the new farm laws, PM Modi in his address said that the government is ready for talks. "Due to our commitment towards farmers, we are ready for discussions on all their issues with an open mind,” he said. 8. Further talking about his “ Aatmanirbhar Bharat” project, PM Modi said, “Only an 'Atmanirbhar' farmer can lay the foundation for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.” 9. Further stating that political rivals are using the farmer’s protest, PM Modi blamed the opposition for creating a deadlock between the farmers and the government. 10. Defending the farm laws he 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.