Farmers Movement Archive

New farm laws to do away with middlemen: Uttar Pradesh CM

LUCKNOW: Paying his respects to former UP chief minister and farmer leader Chaudhary Charan Singh on his 118th birth anniversary on Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sought to allay fears about the new farm laws, detailing the major works done by his government and the Centre for farmers. As farmers’ protest against the new farm laws on Delhi’s borders continued, Yogi Adityanath said that the new laws were for the benefit of farmers which would help to do away with middlemen and ensure that farmers earned more for their produce. Mandis won’t be shut, MSP to continue: YogiThe new farm laws were made to ensure that farmers were no longer exploited. Without paying additional tax, farmers are free to sell their produce in any mandi in the country. No mandi will be closed down and the practice of MSP will continue,” he said. On the occasion, the CM launched the Kisan Credit Card App and felicitated farmers. He gave out Rs 1 lakh as award to farmers who have produced the maximum wheat, chana, peas, masoor, mustard, paddy, corn and urad in the state, Rs 75,000 to the second place holder and Rs 50,000 to the farmer in third position. The CM also honoured nine women farmers who have proved their mettle in fisheries, banana tissue culture and production of vegetables. Farmers involved with organic farming, farmer producer organisations and in-situ schemes were also felicitated. Tractors were also given to 11farmers. The CM said Chaudhary Charan Singh worked for the welfare of farmers all his life and the current state and central governments are also working for farmers. “It is due to the hard work of our farmers that UP produces the maximum food grains in the country. The state government is promoting animal husbandry, horticulture and fishery which has resulted in an increase in farmers’ incomes. The state contributes 21-22% to the country’s food production,” the CM said. He added that PM Narendra Modi was working towards doubling farmers’ incomes and believed that local production was the basis for the country’s progress. Farming is closely linked with local production, he said, adding that the government had provided farmers with facilities like soil testing, insurance and irrigation schemes.“To free farmers from middlemen, the PM had started the Kisan Samman Nidhi under which farmers are getting Rs 6,000 annually with which they can buy seeds, fertilisers, etc,. Through MSP, farmers are getting 1.5 times their investment. UP government is working for farmers. Loan waiver of Rs 36,000 crore was given to them while pending irrigation schemes were completed and closed sugar mills were restarted,” he said.

The Times of India

2020-12-24

Lucknow