NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DEC 23
On the birth anniversary of former prime minister Charan Singh, known for espousing the cause of farmers, the government on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to their welfare and expressed hope that the farmers protesting against farm laws will soon withdraw their agitation.
पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री चौधरी चरण सिंह जी को उनकी जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। वे जीवनभर गांवों और किसानों के विकास के प्रति समर्पित रहे, जिसके लिए सदैव उनका स्मरण किया जाएगा।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 23, 2020
In a series of tweets, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken numerous measures in farmers’ interest while taking inspiration from Charan Singh and that he will not allow any harm to them under any circumstances.
Rajnath Singh has been one of the key government ministers to have engaged in talks with farmers to end the ongoing agitation against three new farm laws.
“Some farmers have been agitating due to the farm laws. The government has been talking to them with the utmost sensitivity. I hope they will soon withdraw their agitation,” he said.
Charan Singh’s birthday is also observed as ”Kisan Diwas” (farmer’s day).
The senior BJP leader noted that Charan Singh voiced the concerns of farmers all his life and worked for their welfare.
He always wanted that farmers get a good price for their produce so that their income increased and that their honour always remained secure, Rajnath Singh added.
Taking inspiration from the former prime minister, Modi has been taking measures for farmers” welfare, he asserted, while paying tributes to Charan Singh.
Lauding farmers, he said they have provided the country with the shield of grain security.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete their internal discussions and resume talks with the government to resolve the crisis.
Born in 1902 in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Charan Singh championed the farmers’ cause and is credited with shaping several policies that helped cultivators. He died in 1987.
Unfortunate that farmers have to protest for rights: Pawar
On the occasion of the National Farmers’ Day, the former Union agriclture minister in a post on Twitter wished for justice to the farmers.
Thousands of cultivators have been protesting at the border points of Delhi since November 26 against the Centre”s three new farm laws.
“It is the responsibility of those in power to aptly honour farmer who forms an important part of economy. But unfortunately the farmer of the country is now forced to stage protest for his rights and demands,” Pawar tweeted.
“Wishing for justice to the farmer on the occasion of the National Farmers’ Day,” he added.
Farmers protesting at the Delhi border points have been demanding a repeal of the new agri laws.
Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.
However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
The government has repeatedly asserted that the MSP and mandi systems will stay and has accused the opposition of misleading the farmers.
