Government’s biggest priority is to double farmers’ income: Amit Shah

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 17

Launching a scathing attack on opposition Congress by accusing it of doing nothing for the welfare of those involved in the agriculture when in power, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Sunday said doubling farmers income was the biggest priority of the Narendra Modi government and that the three central farm laws would ensure manifold hike in their earnings.

Shah said, “When the Congress party was in power the agriculture budget of the country was only Rs 21,933 crore, which the Modi government has hiked to Rs 1,34,399 crore for the financial year 2020-21.”

Even the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for several of the farm produces have been hiked manifold, he added.

“I want to say that if there is any big priority of the Narendra Modi government it is to double the farmers’ income,” he said.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone and inauguration of farmer-friendly projects of the MRN group, headed by newly inducted Karnataka minister Murugesh R Nirani at Kerakalmatti village of Bagalkote in the state, Shah listed out various programmes and initiatives of the Centre for the welfare of the farmers.

Noting that during the Congress regime there was only Rs 6 lakh crore available for farm credit, which has currently been increased to Rs 13.92 crore, Shah accused the opposition party for “instigating farmers” to agitate on a non-issue.

He also asked the Congress why did it not give farmers Rs 6,000 per year.

“The Narendra Modi government is a government dedicated to farmers. Three new laws that the Modi government has brought in will increase farmers’ income multifold,” the home minister said, adding that farmers would no more be compelled to sell their produce at one place and can get access to global and Indian markets of choice for their crops.

His remarks came amid the continuing agitation by farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, on the borders of Delhi, demanding the repeal of the three laws.

Meanwhile, commenting on the developments relating to Jammu & Kashmir, Shah asserted that none had the courage to abrogate provisions under Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution in the past 70 years.

“You made Modi the prime minister and on August 5, 2019 he ended Article 370 and Article 35A from Kashmir and connected it with India permanently. Today elections have also happened there peacefully without shedding even a drop of blood and Kashmir has become ours permanently,” he said.

Shah also asked people to continue their “support and blessing” for the BJP and Modi so as to continue with the agenda of making “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.