Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday while speaking in Rajya Sabha claimed that the ongoing protests over the three farm laws are only limited to a "particular state" and that there is no problem in the controversial farm laws. He said that these laws will bring revolution in Indian farmers' lives by increasing their profits and income. He ensured that he and Modi’s government is committed towards the welfare of the farmers.
Taking a dig at Congress and other protesting parties, Tomar said: "I want to thank the Opposition that they discussed the three farm laws and even called them the black laws." He slammed the opposition parties for spreading misinformation about the farm laws.
"I have been asking the farmers unions how these laws are black? But no one has been able to explain it to me," he claimed. He has urged the farmer unions to come forward and make the government aware of the flaws in the new agri laws.
"Farmers are being misled that others would occupy their land if these laws are implemented. Let me know if there is a single provision in Contract Farming law which allows any trader to snatch away the land of any farmer," questioned NS Tomar.
"I made it clear that if the government is ready to make amendments, it doesn't mean there is any problem in farm laws. People in a particular state are misinformed," the Minister added.
"We have started to provide MSP, 50 per cent more than the production cost. Also, Rs 1 lakh crore agriculture infrastructure fund has been given under Atmanirbhar package. We have tried to ensure the requisite investment reaches the agriculture sector,” the union minister said while explaining the government’s stance on their move on implementing the farm laws.
Reiterating that the Modi government is striving to make farmers' income and contribution of the agriculture sector to GDP increases rapidly. "Who would have thought that fruits and vegetables will be transported by rail? 100 Kisan Rails, that are in a way mobile cold storage, have been started. They are helping farmers get a fair price for their produce," the Agriculture Minister said.
Our focus is to bring positive change in farmers' lives, said Tomar. "Our efforts are that farmers' incomes are doubled and the contribution of agriculture to GDP increases rapidly. These agriculture laws are also an important step in this direction. I want to tell his House and farmers that PM Modi is committed towards welfare of farmers," he said.
NS Tomar stated, "These agriculture laws are also an important step in this direction. I want to tell this House and farmers that PM Modi is committed towards the welfare of farmers.”
The Agri minister while speaking on the government’s financial support to the farming industry said that the 15th Finance Commission has recommended for providing Rs 2.36 lakh crore to gram panchayats, which has been accepted by the Cabinet, while some Rs 43,000 crore has been approved for the healthcare sector in rural locations and Rs 2.8 lakh crore will be spent via gram panchayats in 5 years.
The Centre has continuously boosted the funds for MGNREGA. Tomar said, "When COVID-19 hit the country, we raised the fund allocation to MGNREGA from Rs 61,000 crores to Rs 1.15 lakh crore. More than 10 crore people were given employment.”
Prime Minister Modi, meantime, will possibly speak in the Rajya Sabha on Monday during the motion of thanks to the President's address and may reply to all the concerns and questions raised by opposition leaders over the farm laws in his address.
The Budget session of Parliament 2021 had witnessed a wild uproar owing to the deadlock over the three farm laws.