Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the passage of agrarian reform bills in the Lok Sabha will help “truly” free the farmers from the middle-men and all other obstacles. He also emphasised that it would also provide new opportunities to the farmers to sell their produce which will increase their profits.
“The passing of historic agrarian reform bills in the Lok Sabha is an important moment for the country’s farmers and the agricultural sector. These bills will truly free the farmers from middle- men and all obstacles,” PM Modi tweeted.
“This agrarian reform will provide new opportunities for farmers to sell their produce, which will increase their profits. With this, our agriculture sector will get the benefit of modern technology, whereas the farmers will be empowered,” he added.
The Prime Minister further stated a lot of powers are engaged in confusing the farmers. “I assure my farmer brothers and sisters that the system of MSP and government procurement will remain. These bills are really going to empower the farmers by giving them many more options,” the PM tweeted. PM Modi also requested the farmers and all those associated with the agriculture sector to listen to the speech by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar during the discussion on the agricultural reform bills in the Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed two bills related to “reforms” in agriculture marketing after a debate, with Tomar stating that the legislations will “end licence raj” and farmers will be free to sell their agricultural produce according to their choice.
BJP’s ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), however, opposed the two bills. Several Opposition parties including the Congress also strongly opposed the bills. The House passed 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 bills seek to replace two ordinances brought by the government earlier this year. Tomar, in his reply, sought to allay apprehension of members opposing the bill. “Both these acts will empower the agricultural economy,” he added.
With ANI inputs