‘Working for small farmers’, says PM Modi amid farm stir, hits out at ‘new FDI’

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'Working for small farmers', says PM Modi amid farm stir, hits out at 'new FDI'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the government is working to empower small farmers and amid the ongoing farm stir reiterated that minimum support prices (MSP) will continue and mandis will be modernised. "MSP was there. MSP is there. MSP will remain in the future," he said in his reply to the motion of thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind's address in Rajya Sabha.

The Prime Minister also hit out at those behind the farmer's demonstration against the agricultural laws enacted in September last year, saying a new "breed" of agitators has emerged in the country who cannot live without an agitation and the country should be beware of them. He said the new FDI (Foreign Destructive Ideology) has emerged in the country and "we need to be wary of them to save the country from such ideology."

Modi said that since his government came to power in 2014, the Centre has initiated changes in the agriculture sector aimed at empowering farmers. "The crop insurance scheme was changed to make it more farmer friendly. The PM-KISAN scheme was also brought in. We are working for the small farmers," he explained.

During his address, Modi also thanked former prime minister HD Deve Gowda for bringing seriousness to the discussions relating to agriculture in the house. "His words have added great perspective to the debate. He himself has a strong association with the agriculture sector," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also spoke about other schemes of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-government that he said have benefited farmers. "For example- the PMGSY. When the road connectivity improves, it enables the produce of the farmers to reach distant places. There are efforts like Kisan Rail too," he told the Parliament, adding that the need of the hour is to improve the lives of the small farmers.

Modi alleged that some people are also trying to defame the Sikh community. "India is very proud of the contribution of Sikhs. This is a community that has done so much for the nation. The words and blessings of the Guru Sahibs are precious," his said in his speech.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news