Won’t take any retrograde step: Rajnath

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 14

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while advocating reforms in the agricultural sector, said the government was always open to discussion and dialogue with the protesting farmers.

Addressing the 93rd annual convention of FICCI, Rajnath said: “We are willing to listen to our farmer brothers and allay their fears.”

He stressed that agriculture was the “mother sector” and it helped the country avoid the adverse effects of the pandemic.

“There is no question of taking retrograde steps in this area. The recent reforms have been undertaken with the best interests of farmers in mind,” he said.

The Defence Minister, meanwhile, blamed “unprovoked aggression” by China for the LAC standoff. “In these testing times, our forces have shown exemplary courage and fought the PLA with utmost bravery and forced them to go back,” he said.

On import of military equipment, he said, “It is not a very comforting fact that despite having one of the largest armed forces, we are dependent on imports in critical areas. While we have made some strides in defence production, a lot more can be done.” Doors have been opened for the private sector for domestic production, he said.