Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today asserted that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed towards the development of Gaon, Gareeb and Kisan in the country. Participating in the discussion in Rajya Sabha on the Motion of thanks on the President’s address, Mr. Tomar said that despite holding a series of threadbare level talks with the farmer unions, none of the unions could come up with any flaw in the farm laws. He said the farm laws allow farmers to sell their produce even outside the APMC Mandis. He added that in the open market the farmers are not required to pay the tax levied in the Mandis. Terming the protests ironical, Agriculture Minister stressed that the farmers belonging to a particular region have been misguided to protest against the new laws allowing free market system rather than the tax-imposing APMC system. The Minister also reiterated that the point of contention is far from comprehension especially when the new laws in no way undermine the existence of the Mandis as per the APMC Act. Responding to multiple queries of the opposition members regarding contract farming in the farm acts, the minister emphatically asserted that in order to protect the interests of the farmers, the provisions of the new laws allow farmers to move out of the contract anytime. Mr. Tomar said the government is committed towards the goal of doubling farmers’ income and the new farm laws are an instrument to achieve the same.
The Agriculture Minister said that the
country showed exemplary discipline during COVID induced lockdown. He
said, the timely decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
their strict adherence by the citizens is praiseworthy which resulted in
achieving a healthy recovery rate of patients. Mr. Tomar added that the
country witnessed a complete turnaround in its manufacturing capacity
of PPE kits, which not only made us self sufficient but also placed us
in a position to export it to other countries. Mr. Tomar said, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has always advocated for making Village
Panchayats financially strong. He informed that about two lakh 80
thousand crore rupees will be spent through the village panchayats in
the country to make them financially viable and growth oriented. He
said, the SWAMITVA scheme, which was initiated on pioneer basis in 6
states has now been extended to all the states. Lauding the revamping of
MGNREGA scheme under the NDA government, Mr. Tomar asserted that unlike
the handling of the scheme under UPA regime, the government has ensured
that work done under MGNREGA adds viable infrastructure in the country.
The Minister said, the Self Help Groups in rural India have been
empowered financially to reinvigorate developmental efforts in villages.
Highlighting the achievements of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna -
Grameen, Mr. Tomar said that the government has taken significant
efforts towards easing of life in rural India.
The Agriculture Minister informed that
about 1 lakh 15 thousand crore rupees have been sent directly into the
accounts of the farmers in the country under the PM-KISAN yojana.
Adding that the Country has nearly 86 percent small and marginal
farmers, Mr. Tomar said that the Centre has decided to create 10
thousand new FPOs with a financial aid of over 6 thousand crore. He said
these FPOs will help the small and marginal farmers to make use of the
best infrastructure for farming along with creation of robust supply
chain system. Mr. Tomar said, the government provided 1 lakh crore
rupees for creation and upscaling of Agriculture Infrastructure in the
country. He added that the 100 Kisan Rails started by the Centre has
also helped farmers to reach out to bigger and profitable markets.
Participating in the discussion BJP MP
Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said, people are experiencing democracy of
aspirations under the current government. Underscoring the several
rounds of talks between the government and the farmer unions, he said
the government is still open for discussions with the farmers on the
issue of farm laws to root out the differences. Highlighting a series of
reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr.
Sahasrabuddhe said, the centre has devolved powers to states and
district authorities in order to ease accessibility of developmental
funds. He said, India has significantly strengthened its soft power in
recent years. He said, Centre is working with the vision of Sabka Saath
Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas and that has led the country to move on
from discovery of India to self realisation of India. Attacking the
opposition parties, Neeraj Shekhar of the BJP said that they are
unnecessarily trying to create a narrative against the farm laws in the
country.
The opposition leaders continued their
demand to withdraw the farm Laws even on the third day of the discussion
on the motion on the Presidential address. Terming the passing of the
bills in the House as unconstitutional, Congress MP Anand Sharma
demanded immediate withdrawal of the farm laws. He said, the bill was
never sent to a standing committee for wider discussions. Mr. Sharma
asked the government to remove the barriers on the Road at protesting
sites requesting the government not to treat the matter as a prestige
issue. He also urged that the matters of constitutionality pending in
the Supreme Court must be decided without much delay. Another Congress
MP Pratap Singh Bajwa raised questions as to why the farm bills were
rushed in through the ordinance route. He alleged that the laws were
brought in to benefit a handful of private companies. Mr. Bajwa demanded
an inquiry into the violent episode at the Red Fort on the 26th of last
month under the chairmanship of a sitting Supreme Court judge. Congress
leader Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed his party’s thoughts on the
issue. Taking part in the discussion NCP leader Praful Patel lauded the
joint efforts of the centre and states in the fight against covid
pandemic. He however asked the centre to withdraw the three farm laws.
Mr. Patel attacked the centre for drawing parallel between the
provisions of the contentious farm legislations and the draft bill
circulated by NCP leader and erstwhile Agriculture Minister in the UPA
regime Sharad Pawar. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut raised the issue of
implication of notable leaders and journalists under sedition charges.
Demanding roll back of the farm laws, he asked the centre to work out an
amicable resolution to the current impasse. Satish Chandra Mishra of
Bahujan Samaj Party proposed that the centre should put the farm laws on
hold for three years. Meanwhile, he said a resolution to the impasse
can be worked out through broader discussion. Mr. Mishra condemned the
violence at the Red Fort on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day this
year. CPI member Binoy Viswam demanded that the three farm laws be
repealed. Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa of the Shiromani Akali Dal asked
for a scientific basis for calculation of MSP. He asked the government
to roll back the farm laws.
The discussion on the motion of thanks
concluded today before the House was adjourned. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi will on Monday reply to the discussion in the Upper House.
SOURCE ; AIR
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