Reforms helping farmers: Indian PM

As the protests near Delhi by farmers against the new farm laws entered their 24th day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the reforms introduced by his government six months ago have started benefiting farmers.

Speaking at a business event, PM Modi highlighted reforms spanning from the manufacturing sector to labour to say India has during the last six years emerged as the world's preferred destination for investment.

Record foreign direct investment or FDI and foreign portfolio investment or FPI during the pandemic is a testimony to the faith that the world now has in India, he said.

"Agriculture reforms initiated six months back have started benefitting farmers," he said without referring to the protests.

Later on Twitter, he urged people to read and share widely an e-booklet issued by the government highlighting how the recent agrarian reforms help farmers.

"There is a lot of content, including graphics and booklets that elaborate on how the recent Agro-reforms help our farmers. It can be found on the NaMo App Volunteer Module's Your Voice and Downloads sections. Read and share widely," the prime minister tweeted sharing snapshots of pages from the Hindi version of the booklet.

The appeal came a day after PM Modi said he was ready "with folded hands" to discuss every issue with farmers and allay their fear. He also said any talk about the new laws doing away with MSP or Minimum Support Price for crops "is the biggest lie ever".

(Source: NDTV)