PM Modi defends farm laws, cites record procurement of food grains

Making an informal electoral pitch for the high stakes 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday firmly defended the new farm laws citing the record procurement of food grains to buttress his pro-farmer narrative.

Addressing a public meeting in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Modi underlined the central government was working proactively to improve the government procurement system and at the same time, giving more agri marketing options to farmers.

“The special fund of Rs 1 trillion announced by the Centre is aimed at integrating the country’s agricultural sector with modern infrastructure. This will modernise the existing agricultural