File photo of PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach out to the farming community through the next episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on March 22, for which he has sought suggestions and inputs from them.
"On March 22, I will have 'Mann ki Baat' with my farmer brothers and sisters," he tweeted.
"I want to know the issues of the farmers and want them to write to me," he added in another tweet. Modi's address to farmers assumes significance as the agriculture community is currently a subject of debate in the context of the new Land Acquisition Bill which the government is trying hard to get passed by Parliament.
The land bill, which seeks to amend the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, has come under severe criticism from various parties, which contend that it will hurt farmers' interests.
The government, on the other hand, insists that the interests of farmers have been taken care of in the new bill, which seeks to speed up developmental works.
The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on March 10 and is now set to face a tough test in Rajya Sabha, where the ruling NDA is in a minority.