Govt not deceiving farmers, new laws will open avenues: Modi in Varanasi

Even as thousands of farmers sit at the borders of Delhi, refusing any conditional talks with the government and demanding a repeal of three new farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (November 30) said the new legislations have been introduced to benefit farmers and the results will be visible soon.

Speaking at the inauguration of the six-laning of the 73-km Varanasi-Prayagraj National Highway project in Varanasi, Modi assured farmers that better connectivity will benefit them.

“When connectivity in a region improves, it also benefits the farmers there. Farmers are being empowered by giving them options for a bigger market. Reforms are being done in the interest of farmers, which will give them more options. Shouldn’t a farmer get freedom to sell his produce directly to those who give them better prices and facilities?” he said.

Reassuring farmers that the government is not trying to deceive them through the new laws, Modi said the opening of new markets doesn’t mean an end to the traditional market or mandis and the minimum support price fixed by the government.

“The promise of giving 1.5 times more MSP to farmers as per Swaminathan Commission was fulfilled. This promise was not only fulfilled on paper, but has reached the bank account of the farmers,” the prime minister said addressing the fear of famers that the new laws will do away with the MSP.

Modi also lashed out at the Opposition, whom he blamed for spreading rumours about the farm laws.

“There’s new trend now. Earlier decisions of the government were opposed, now rumours have become the basis for opposition. Propaganda is spread that although decision is fine, it can lead to other consequences, about things that haven’t happened or will never happen. Same is with farm laws,” he said.

Modi was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel. He is slated to participate in the Deepotsav celebrations, held on the occasion of Dev Deepawali, on the banks of river Ganga in the evening.