PM Modi Slams 'Liars' Who Claim New Agricultural Reforms Will Finish Agricultural Mandis; Mollifies Farmers

The Prime Minister also stated that the Bills will empower the farmers to freely trade their produce anywhere. I want to make it clear that these Bills is not against the agriculture mandis.

(Image: ANI)

New Delhi: Amid protests by thousands of famers over the Parliament clearance of farm reforms Bills that have seen widespread protests in recent weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the nation and said that the move will change the economic condition of the farmers. Calling the clearance of the farm bills and the change in the farming sector the 'need of the hour', PM Modi said the farmers would now be able to sell their produce at any rate and anywhere they want. "I congratulate my farmers. This change in the farming sector is the need of the present hour and our government has brought this reform for the farmers," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also stated that the Bills will empower the farmers to freely trade their produce anywhere. I want to make it clear that these Bills is not against the agriculture mandis. "Yesterday, two farm bills were passed in the Parliament. I congratulate my farmers. This change in the farming sector is the need of the present hour and our government has brought this reform for the farmers," PM Modi said in his address. PM Modi also assured every farmer of the country that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system will continue as before. "During the Coronavirus pandemic, record purchase of wheat has been made from farmers during the Rabi season. Rs 1 lakh 13 thousand crores given to the farmers at MSP. This amount is more than 30% over last year," PM Modi added. The prime minister said for the last 5-6 years, a huge campaign has been going on in the country to fix the offices of agricultural mandis, to get computerization done there. "Therefore, whoever says that the new agricultural reforms will finish agricultural mandis, then he is lying to the farmers." Lauding his government, Modi said "It is our NDA government which has continuously worked to modernize the agricultural mandis of the country. Speaking in favour of the new agricultural reforms, Modi said it have given freedom to every farmer that he can sell his crop, fruits and vegetables on his terms to anyone, anywhere in the country. Modi made it clear that that this bill is not against agriculture mandis and dismissed conjectures and rumors around it saying "MSP will continue as before." The MSP will continue and the procurement drive will continue as it is being done now, he added. It would still be the same as the work used to be in agricultural mandis, he assured. The law gives the power to farmers to sell their produce on their own condition, Modi asserted. On Sunday, the Upper House of Parliament also gave its nod to The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. The Lok Sabha or the Lower House passed the two Bills on Thursday. The third is The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020. (This is a developing story. Further details are awaited.)