Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced the third tranche of the Rs 20 lakh crore package announced to tackle the Covid menace by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In her announcement, the Finance Minister told that the government will amend the Essential Commodities Act to enable better price for farmers.
Agriculture food stuff including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato will be deregulated, she said.
Another significant development was that the government will bring in law to implement agriculture marketing reforms to provide marketing choices to farmers.
This law will provide adequate choices to farmers to sell produce at an attractive price.
Soon after the decision, Twitter was poured in with reactions on the Finance Minister’s decision.
“The One lakh Crore Agri Infrastructure Fund announced today will transform the lives of farmer and increase their income,” said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Express my deep gratitude to Hon. PM Shri @narendrammodi ji and FM @nsitharama ji for announcing a series of progressive measures for supporting the economically vulnerable and assisting people from all walks of life in coping with the #Covid10 challenge.”
“Government has kept its promise to enrich all the essential sectors to fulfill the ‘Vocal for Local’ call of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji,” said Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.
Meanwhile, Congress came with sharp criticism of the Modi government and the packages it announced.
“During the Corona epidemic, farmers and labourers are facing the most difficulty. Instead of giving them relief the Modi govt. is hurting the farmers and labourers and instead of providing help, it is pushing the farmer in the debt trap,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.