Modi hails PM-Kisan scheme on second anniversary

 The PM, in his tweets, iterated that his government was doing everything to double farmers’ income

“On this day two years ago the PM-Kisan scheme was launched with an aim to ensure a life of dignity as well as prosperity for our hardworking farmers, who work day and night to keep our nation fed,” Modi said.: PTI

Special Correspondent   |   TT   |   New Delhi   |    25.02.21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday used the second anniversary of the farmer dole scheme to talk about his government’s commitment to farmers.

“On this day two years ago the PM-Kisan scheme was launched with an aim to ensure a life of dignity as well as prosperity for our hardworking farmers, who work day and night to keep our nation fed,” Modi said. 

Under the scheme, a dole of Rs 6,000 a year — which works out to less than Rs 16.50 a day — is given to small and marginal farmers with cultivable land holding up to 2 hectares.

“The tenacity and passion of our farmers is inspiring,” the tweet added.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been sitting at Delhi’s borders for three months now, demanding repeal of three laws the Modi government pushed through Parliament that they believe will be their death warrant. The farmers are also seeking a legal guarantee of a minimum support price for crops. 

Having braved the bone-chilling north Indian winter and the government’s many attempts to thwart their protests — from dug-up highways, lathis and water cannons to stop them from reaching the protest sites, snapped Internet connectivity to deny the protesters a means to communicate, and concertina and concrete barricades to cut them off — the protesting farmers have indeed shown “tenacity and passion”. More than 200 farmers have died. 

Modi, however, did not mention the protests.

The protesting farmers have been dismissive of the PM-Kisan scheme, asserting that farmers’ dignity is ensured by assuring them of a fair price for their produce and not by giving them a measly dole. 

Modi, in his tweets, iterated that his government was doing everything to double farmers’ income.