Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday criticized the opposition for its attempts to mislead the farmers over three farm laws passed by his government in September. Speaking at Kutch in Gujarat after laying foundation stones of some development projects, he cited the example of successful dairy industry associated with Banni buffaloes.
Modi said: “Dairy business pertaining to Banni buffaloes and the system associated with it has been very successful in Kutch. In other parts of the country too, milk producers and cooperatives have joined hands and created a robust supply chain. Similarly, the government doesn’t have direct control over most of the markets related to fruits and vegetables. I am giving this example in detail because nowadays, there is a conspiracy to mislead the farmers around Delhi.”
He said that the farmers are being told that after the new farm laws, others will occupy their lands. When someone doing dairy business enters into a contract with someone, does it mean that the person “takes away your cows and buffaloes”? Modi asked. Similarly, does someone “take away your property if you are growing fruits and vegetables?” He again asked.
The Prime Minister asserted that these farm laws were meant for carrying out reforms in the sector and were earlier demanded by many unions. However, after backing most of the key provisions of these laws in UPA regime, the opposition parties had changed their stance now. Incidentally, his party, the BJP, had also accused the opposition Congress and NCP of Sharad Pawar of doing flip flop on the farm laws.
Modi said the welfare of the farmers has been a top priority of his government and it was ready to address all their genuine concerns. “The people in the opposition are misguiding the farmers and they were in support of these farm laws when their government was in power,” he said.
