New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that his government’s new agricultural reforms have empowered the farmers and given them new options and legal protection. He said that the benefits of these new laws will be experienced in the coming days.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during his visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on the occasion of Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Jayanti where he inaugurated the six-lane widening project of Handia (Prayagraj)-Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19 in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
He dedicated the 73-km stretch of the newly-widened and six-laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of Rs 2,447 crores, to the nation. It is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by approximately an hour.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said we are now seeing the outcome of the work of connectivity along with the beautification of Kashi done in the past. He added that the unprecedented work has been done on new highways, pull-flyovers, widening of roads to reduce traffic jams in and around Varanasi.
“Varanasi is getting improved infrastructure on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Dev Deepawali. This will benefit both Varanasi and Prayagraj,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister remarked that our farmers would benefit greatly when modern connectivity expands in the area. He said over the years, efforts have been made to create infrastructure like cold storage alongwith modern roads in the villages. A fund of 1 lakh crore rupees has also been created for this.
“The new agricultural laws have been brought in for benefit of the farmers. We will see and experience benefits of these new laws in the coming days. Efforts are on to double farmers’ incomes, new options being offered to them to sell their crops,” said Modi.
Hitting out at the Opposition for misleading farmers on the new farm laws, PM said, “There’s new trend now, earlier decisions of govt were opposed, now rumours have become 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.”
The Prime Minister said India’s agricultural products are famous all over the world. He asked why farmers shouldn’t have access to this big market and higher prices. He said new agricultural reforms have given farmers new options and new legal protection and at the same time the old system also continues if someone chooses to stay with that.
He said earlier, transactions outside the mandi were illegal but now the small farmer can take legal action on the transactions outside the mandi also.
Modi said decades of deceit make farmers apprehensive but now there is no deceit, work is being done with intentions as pure as Gangajal. He remarked that the truth of those who spread illusions on the basis of mere apprehensions is being constantly exposed before the country. When farmers understand their lies, then they start spreading lies on another subject.
He added the government is also constantly answering those farmer families who still have some concerns. He expressed confidence that those farmers who have some doubts on agricultural reforms today, will also take advantage of these agricultural reforms in future and increase their income.
-CHK
