The PM’s speech: Reframing the farmers’ protest
The PM’s speech: Reframing the farmers’ protest | India Today Insight
In an address to the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to reframe the debate, alleging that the protests were being hijacked by left-leaning groups who oppose reform on principle
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UPDATED: February 9, 2021 10:02 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament, Feb 8 (ANI)
Amid the ongoing farmer’s protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to use his reply in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to articulate the need for the farm sector reforms. He also reiterated the government’s resolve not to repeal the new farm laws, as demanded by protesting farmers and opposition parties. Earlier, opposition parties had also demanded a separate discussion on the farmers’ protest, but later agreed to have it as a part of the
As told to Parliament (February 5, 2021): More than 16 million new job cards issued in 2020-21
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Did Agriculture And Allied Sector Get Due Focus?
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Source: FM’s speech 1 Feb 2021
While successfully making a political point that the current government is no less committed to the welfare of farmers, these numbers clearly present an unaddressed problem that the government has to tackle head-on soon.
The MSP system was designed to provide a safety net in case the prices crashed, to procure for supply under the Public Distribution System, and maintain buffer stocks. Today, sale to government agencies at MSP seems to be the preferred choice of farmers. It indicates that either MSPs need rationalisation or the markets are not working for the benefit of the farmers. In another sense, production is exceeding what the market can absorb. How these commodity mountains are being managed, what is the holding cost, and how will they be managed if the year-on-year procurement keeps growing are questions that beg answers. The matter needs a fix, to which the government cannot remain indifferent for much longer.