Land Bill Aimed at Welfare of Farmers, Villages, Says PM Modi in 'Mann ki Baat' : Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed farmers through his monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat.

Here are the highlights of his address:

• When I speak to farmers, I am speaking to the villages and their residents.
• I had not expected that I would receive this many questions for this programme.
• Farmers have written in about agriculture and a number of other issues that they are facing.
• From the questions, I can perceive the amount of pain you are undergoing.
• I consider 'Mann ki Baat' an opportunity to learn.
• I will try to answer your questions.
• I will also awaken the government and get it in action wherever necessary.
• Last year, we had been worried because there wasn't enough rain. But this year, there have been unseasonal rains.
• The government will do its best to help farmers affected by unseasonal rains.                      
• This government's ministers are travelling to the affected regions to take stock of the situation and offer whatever assistance and help they can to farmers.
• Farmers often say government schemes do not reach them.
• The country was ruled under laws on farmers that were introduced by the British. We have continued to be ruled under this law for over 60 years.
• It was only during the implementation of the new law that we understood that there were some problems.
• We are not worried about what the intentions of the previous government were. We are only worried about the welfare of the farmers.
• Under the previous government's law, the farmers would have received no more compensation than they did under the old law. We have fixed this.
• Often, people get worked up over rumours of 'this is going to happen' or 'that is going to happen'.
• UPA's land bill had been rejected by the states.
• State governments have communicated their problems to the Centre. Should I not take this into account? Should we not try to address this?
• We are a 'jai jawan, jai kisan' party.
• Those who sit in air-conditioned rooms to make laws are not able to undertstand the issues of village people.
• Whenever there is a project, we will acquire only the land that is required.
• Acquisition of farm lands for projects will only be the last resort.
• Even now, we are saying that we are open to amend the bill. We readily will make changes if the Opposition to parties.
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