New Delhi: Jagat Prakash Nadda, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s national president on Sunday expressed happiness over the passage of the agricultural reforms bills – the Farmers Production Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance and Agricultural Services Agreement Bill from the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.
Nadda said that PM Modi-led government has freed farmers from the injustice that has been continued for the last 70 years. Lashing out at the opposition parties, he said that those who are against the bill are anti-farmers. He said, ”Instead of being part of the process, opposition tried to obstruct the liberation of farmers. BJP condemns their act.” He added that these two bills are capable of bringing about comprehensive reforms in the agriculture sector and it will boost income of the farmers.
The BJP President also called opposition irresponsible for their behaviour in Rajya Sabha while the bill was tabled and said, the irresponsible act of opposition is unfortunate. They violated the health protocols and norms of process of the House. The democratic system should function smoothly, he further added.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Narnendra Modi on the passing of the bills brought by the central government for the empowerment of agriculture and farmers in Parliament and wish all the farmer brothers of the country. I also thank all MPs and political parties for their support,” Nadda said.
The bills, 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, passed by Parliament will truly give farmers the freedom to store, harvest and sell their crops and middlemen,” he added.
Eliminating all concerns, the BJP President Said that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) was offered to farmers before, is in force now and will remain in force in future. The system of APMC will also be maintained. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while showing foresight, has taken these steps for the better future of farmers, which will play an important role in doubling the income of farmers.
Attacking Congress party, Nadda said the Congress, in its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, had talked about repealing the APMC system, while the MSP and APMC will continue to operate. Modi government is making better alternatives available to farmers. Why do Rahul Gandhi and Congress party grudge farmers’ being empowered, he questioned.
Nadda said that now, the farmer will be his own boss! He can make his own decisions! The new legislation empowers farmers and gives him alternative marketing channels. Farmers can receive more remuneration prices and related farm services. All his farm related problems can be resolved at his doorstep.
“It is Modi government which has implemented Swaminathan Commission recommendations; given farmers “Kisan Samman Nidhi” scheme, offered farmers PM Crop Insurance scheme with low crop insurance premium and allocated ₹1 lakh crore fund for creating agricultural infrastructure”, he added. Congress never brought about any reforms for the empowerment of farmers. It had neither the thought nor the will to do it. Congress has an old habit of doing politics by misleading farmers and the poor. The farmers are aware of the double character of the Congress, they are not going to fall into its mischief, Nadda said.
