Centre and State committed to ensuring welfare of farmers, stresses Rawat
Stating that farmers are being misled about the farm laws, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party was and will always remain committed to the welfare of farmers as is reflected in the actions of the Centre and State government. He said that attempts are being made to divert the farmers’ movement in the wrong direction which is not in the interests of the farmers.
Addressing the media here on Monday, the chief minister said that the demand to implement recommendations of the Swaminathan committee report was being raised for a long time. The farm laws have been drafted on the basis of that report and are in the interests of farmers. While earlier the farmers’ produce was bought only in the Mandis, now the laws provide them various options including the open market. Rawat said, “Attempts are being made to spread confusion regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) among the farmers whereas MSP is not being discontinued anywhere. The MSP system is very much in effect, in fact rice is being purchased from the farmers at MSP despite which attempts are being made to confuse them. Both the Central and State governments have accorded priority to the welfare of farmers.”
Referring to measures taken by the state government he said that sugar cane farmers have been paid 100 per cent value of their produce. Farmers are being paid by RTGS within 24 hours of bill receipt for their paddy produce. On the subject of political influence in the farmers’ movement, Rawat said that the Congress is misguiding the farmers. “The Congress party which is today strongly opposing the farm laws and misleading the farmers had in its 2019 manifesto promised to repeal the APMC Act. Today, the Congress and its chief ministers are linked to the opposition of the farm laws. A person like Narendra Modi who has acted in the interests of the farmers is the Prime Minister and he cannot be against the welfare of farmers. We are committed to the welfare of farmers, they should not have any doubts regarding this.”
Regarding the nation-wide bandh called on Tuesday, the chief minister said that though he is not against democratic protest, such attempts should not affect the peace and harmony. The director general of police has been directed to ensure that the law and order is maintained in Uttarakhand, he added.
Tuesday, 08 December 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
