WATCH: Couldn’t convince farmers about their benefits, have decided to repeal the farm laws, says PM Modi
Ever since the Union government passed the three farm laws, the country has been witnessing protests against the legislations, particularly on the borders of the national capital where farmers, primarily from the states of Punjab and Haryana, have been camping in protests since November last year.
Almost a year after farmers launched an agitation against the three controversial farm laws that were passed in September, last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in an address to the nation today morning that the Union government will repeal the three laws. He added that the government failed in convincing the farmers about the merits of the laws.
PM Modi, who addressed the nation on Guru Nanak Jayanti said, “We have taken measures to benefit the farmers. Seeds have been provided at reasonable rates, irrigation facilities have been improved and 22 crores (220 million) soil health cards. These measures have helped in increasing agricultural production”.
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“However, we failed to make the farmers understand the merits of the three laws and we have now decided to repeal them,” the Prime Minister added.
Ever since the Union government passed the three laws, the country has been witnessing country-wide protests against the legislation, particularly on the borders of the national capital where farmers primarily from the states of Punjab and Haryana have been camping in protests since November last year.
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At least 500 cultivators died in the protests and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of the agitating farmers’ organisation, stated on May 26 that 477 farmers had died within six months of the protests. The farmers lost their lives to inclement weather, health issues, and suicides while protesting against the laws.
Farmers’ protests will continue till govt repeals laws in Parliament: Rakesh Tikait
Meanwhile, almost an hour after PM Modi announced that the Union government shall repeal the laws, Bhartiya Kisan Union chief Rakesh Tikait stated that the farmers’ agitation will continue till these laws are not repealed by the Parliament after undertaking due legislative procedure.
He also demanded that the government should also discuss other standing issues of the farmers such as the minimum support price.
This is a developing story; more details awaited.