Farmers Movement Archive

Historic increase in MSP, Govt keen on doubling farmers’ income: PM

NEW DELHI: On the second anniversary of PM-Kisan scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP functionaries on Wednesday highlighted the measures taken by the Centre for farmers’ empowerment in a bid to blunt the opposition campaign to paint the government as “anti-farmer” in the light of the enactment of the three farm laws last year. Modi said the PM-Kisan scheme was launched with an aim to ensure a life of dignity as well as prosperity for the hard working farmers, who work day and night to feed the nation. “The tenacity and passion of our farmers is inspiring,” he said. “Over the last 7 years, the government of India has taken many initiatives for transforming agriculture. From better irrigation to more technology, more credit and markets to proper crop insurance, focus on soil health to eliminating middlemen, the efforts are all-encompassing,” the PM said in a series of tweets, in which he also shared details about the farmers’ welfare schemes since 2014. Countering the apprehensions of farm union leaders about the future of minimum support price (MSP), Modi said, “Our Government had the honour of ushering a historic increase in MSP. We doing everything possible to double the income of farmers. You can find insightful content on the NaMo App, offering a glimpse of the work done for farmers.” Asserting that that the Modi government is committed to doubling farmers’ income, Home Minister Amit shah said, “Hearty congratulations to all the beneficiaries of the country on the successful completion of 2 years of the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana dedicated to farmer welfare under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.” Shah said the scheme has given new power and honour to the farmers of the country. “It is proving to be a boon for more than 11 crore marginal farmers,” he added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the scheme has made an effective and meaningful contribution to the lives of farmers. BJP chief JP Nadda that scheme has played a major role in empowering the marginal farmers. “The Modi government is constantly trying to make the country self-sufficient in food production. This scheme, providing economic relief to the farmers, has become the basis of major changes in the rural economy,” Nadda said.

The Times of India

2021-02-25

India