Assertingthat the central government honours the farmers and it is ready to accept theirlogical suggestions on the three contentious farm laws, Prime Minister NarendraModi on Wednesday declared that these laws are "optional and notcompulsory".
ThePrime Minister made the announcement while speaking on the motion of thanks onthe President's address in the Lok Sabha.
Inthe backdrop of the ongoing farmers' agitation on Delhi's borders for over twomonths, Modi said "rumours are being spread that these laws are againstthe farmers". ThePrime Minister said that these laws were passed in Parliament in view ofreforms in the agriculture sector as it was the need of the hour.
Heasked "whether these three farm laws snatched the facilities of farmerswhich they were getting earlier?"
"Thereis no restriction on anyone. These laws do not create obstacles in the growthof farmers. These laws are optional, not compulsory. These acts neither stoppedold 'Mandis' nor affected purchase of produce on Minimum Support Price(MSP)."
ThePrime Minister said that the government has always honoured farmers and it willcontinue giving them respect in future too, and that the government is stillready to accept their logical suggestions on these laws even after severalrounds of talks with them.
Hesaid that the government had held various rounds of dialogue with the farmerseven before they reached Delhi where they are agitating since November 26seeking withdrawal of these laws termed as "black laws" and"anti-farmer laws".
"Weare still ready to hold further rounds of talks with the farmers with openheart and take their suggestions on these three farm laws," Modi said.
Reiteratingthat "neither any 'mandis' closed nor purchase on MSP ended after theselaws were passed," the Prime Minister said in contrast we have provisionto increase the number of mandis in this budget and the purchase on MSP hasalso increased compared to previous years.
Theopposition created a ruckus when the Prime Minister was delivering his speechin the Lower House with Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury repeatedlydisrupting his address.
Replyingto the Congress leader's attempts, the Prime Minister said this "uproar isan attempt under pre-decided strategy".
"Itwill not help you (Congress) in gaining support of people. Farm reforms arevery important. It is necessary. Congress members should have discussed oncontent and intent of these farm laws, they should not misguide farmers andspread rumours."