Farmers Movement Archive

President Ram Nath Kovind defends farm laws, deplores Republic day violence

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday deplored as unfortunate the Republic Day assault on Red Fort even as he rebutted the charge that the contentious three farm laws were foisted on the country without holding consultations. “My government has always respected freedom of expression and holding of peaceful agitations in a democratic set-up. However, the recent act of dishonouring the national flag and showing disrespect to the auspicious occasion of Republic Day are unfortunate,” Kovind said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament, which was boycotted by the opposition. “While the Constitution gives us the right to freedom of expression, it is also expected that we abide by the laws and rules with equal sincerity,” he added. Defending the three farm laws enacted last year, the President said it was done after extensive consultations and the benefits of these three important farm reforms had started reaching more than 10 crore small farmers instantly. He said that appreciating the advantages that these reforms would bring to small farmers, several political parties too had, from time to time, expressed their support. “After extensive consultations, Parliament approved three important farm reform bills seven months ago. The discussions over these farm reforms in every part of the country for over two decades, and the demand for these reforms at different fora, were also reflected during the deliberations in the House,” the President added. Kovind said the Supreme Court had stayed implementation of these laws and the government respected the apex court’s decision and would abide by it. He said the government was continuously making efforts to dispel the misunderstanding created in the context of these laws. “Rather, through these agricultural reforms, the government has provided new facilities to farmers and has empowered them,” he added. The President cited several measures taken towards empowering farmers and reiterated the government’s commitment towards their welfare. He referred to Rs 100,000 crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, the launch of over 100 Kisan Rails, which have transported over 38,000 tonnes of foodgrains and fruits and vegetables from one region to the other, and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund for Rs 15,000 crore for creating basic infrastructure and encouraging investment in the dairy sector. “In order to increase the income of farmers, the government has also launched a campaign to turn the ‘annadata’ into ‘urjadata’. Twenty lakh solar pumps are being provided to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana,” he added. In a reference to the standoff with China, Kovind said India’s armed forces responded with courage to “machinations” to disrupt peace along the Line of Actual Control that disregarded bilateral agreements and foiled all efforts to alter the status quo on the border. He added that the government was “vigilant and fully committed to safeguard the interests of the country”, and additional forces had been deployed at the LAC to protect India’s sovereignty. Kovind also touched upon the government’s efforts to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and the massive vaccination drive. On the state of the economy, he said the country had started emerging from the economic setback suffered due to the pandemic and that this was evident from several indicators. The President also stressed on the need for national unity on which he cited a couplet written by nationalist poet from Assam Ambikagiri Raichaudhuri, which said India’s grandeur was the ultimate truth. “In one single consciousness, one thought, one devotion, one inspiration, let us unite, let us unite,” the couplet said. The President concluded his speech by reciting a patriotic song written by Jyotirindranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore: “Chol re chol shobe Bharato shantan, matribhumi kore aohan, birodarpe, paurush garbe, shadh re shadh shobe, deshero kalyan” (Motherland is beckoning all the children of Bharat, to keep moving forward together; to move ahead with self-esteem and confidence of courage and aspire for the welfare of the nation.”

The Times of India

2021-01-30

India