PM Says Farm Reforms Will Create New Options Without Hampering Existing Mandis; Congress, TMC Walk Out

Minutes after his speech heralded a stronger, more pivotal role for India in the post-Covid world order, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the Opposition in his reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as he alleged that their continuous disruptions in the Parliament over the farm laws was a ‘well-thought-out strategy’.

“Those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a well-planned strategy. They are unable to digest that people are seeing through the truth. Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won,” he said.

He said that the central government and the Parliament have great respect for the farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills and that is why top most ministers have been talking to them. Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi again allayed apprehensions on the farm laws, saying neither any agriculture ‘mandi’ (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.

“This House, our government and we all respect farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why topmost ministers of the government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for farmers. “After the laws relating to agriculture were passed by Parliament, no ‘mandi’ has shut. Likewise, MSP has remained. Procurement on MSP has remained. These facts can’t be ignored,” he said.

The Congress walked out of Lok Sabha as PM Modi explained the government’s stand on the three farm laws. TMC MPs walked out later as well. Modi said the Congress has taken different stands in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. “A divided and confused party like this can do no good to the country,” he added.

Modi said India has managed the COVID-19 pandemic successfully despite adverse predictions and the country has now become a ray of hope for the world. He said the world post-COVID-19 is turning out to be very different and in such times remaining isolated from the global trends will be counter-productive.

“That is why India is working towards building an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), which seeks to further global good. “Predictions were made India cannot survive as a nation, but people of our country proved them wrong and we are now a ray of hope for the world,” he said.

Complimenting health care and frontline workers for their relentless work during the pandemic, the prime minister said the way India has managed the coronavirus crisis is a turning point and the world has seen its success. The address of the President has showcased India’s ‘Sankalp Shakti’ and his words have boosted the spirit of confidence among the people of India, infused new confidence and inspired every heart “During the discussion on the President’s speech, a large number of women MPs took part. This is a great sign. I want to congratulate the women MPs who enriched the House proceedings with their thoughts,” he said.