12 December,2020 04:31 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File pic
Amidst protests by farmers over the new farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the government is committed to protecting the interest of the farming community through its policies and intentions.
The government has taken various initiatives to improve the income of people engaged in the farm sector, he said, adding that farmers now have options to sell their crops in mandis as well as to outside parties.
The government at any cost is committed to protecting the interest of farmers through "its policies and intentions", he emphasised.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the limited participation of India Inc in the agriculture sector, the Prime Minister asked industries to show their interest and increase investment in the sector.
ALSO READ
Mid-Day Top News: Maharashtra assembly polls likely only after Diwali and more
Congress: Centre insensitive to statehood restoration demand, will be poll issue
Haryana Assembly elections: Ramdas Athawale's RPI(A) seeks 2 seats from BJP
NC to prioritise lifting of AFSPA if voted to power in J-K, says Omar Abdullah
BJP may ally with regional parties, independents: Omar Abdullah
Frankly speaking, he said, unfortunately, the India Inc "has not made adequate investments in agriculture and private players did not explore the sector to its full potential, rather they worked in limited fashion".
Citing an example, he said "the private sector's participation is not as per the desired level in cold storage and fertiliser manufacturing".
Addressing the FICCI Annual Convention, the Prime Minister said tax terrorism and Inspector Raj are things of the past.
India is now among the few nations which have implemented faceless assessment and faceless appeal with regard to tax matters, Modi said.
Even the corporate tax in India is very competitive after the moderation effected last year, he added.
It is to be noted that thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, are protesting against the new farm laws which they claim will dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporate houses.
The farming community has expressed apprehension that three new laws -- Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 -- would pave the way for dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporations.
Enacted in September, the laws have been projected by the government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
