Cong 'restless' as farmers got freedom to sell crop anywhere in country: Smriti Irani

 Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday hit out at Congress for opposing farm laws, saying it has got “restless” as farmers have been given freedom to sell ir produce anywhere in country.She accused Congress of doing thing for deces to ensure that farmers get payment of ir crop directly into ir bank accounts.Interacting with media of Bathinda through a virtual conference, she claimed Modi government was committed to progress of farmers and has assured a record MSP payment to wheat growers in past five years.

Congress got “restless” as Modi government in last parliament session gave farmers freedom to sell ir crop in any city or vill, to any person or oraganisation, she said.

When it was ensured in Bills that farmers will have to be paid for ir crop within three days, Congress stood against m, she claimed.

When it was ensured in Bills that farmers' land can neir be sold or mortgd, Congress got disturbed,she ded.In an apparent reference to a controversial land deal in Haryana in which Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vra was allegedly involved, Irani said party, whose "rashtriya dam" h allegedly looted farmers of ir land, never wanted that ir land remain protected under any law. Union textiles minister alleged that Congress captured power years after years by giving “false hopes” to farmers.

Congress looted farmers in Rajasthan, Haryana and Amethi and n gave ir land to its “dam”, she alleged.Irani also claimed that Modi government has paid Rs 3 lakh crore as wheat MSP to farmers in past five years.

Modi government ensured transfer of money directly into bank accounts of farmers under Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, she said.

Congress, which remained in power at Centre for over six deces, should answer farmers why it could t develop such a system, she said.Irani also attacked Congress and or opposition parties for creating a ruckus during pass of farm legislations in Rajya Sabha.

Without taking names, minister said Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi were absent from Lok Sabha when a discussion was taking place on farm Bills.Both leers were reportedly away in connection with Congress president’s medical check-up at time of discussion in Lok Sabha.

Irani furr alleged that ruling Congress in Punjab has created a "gundaraj" and one will tolerate this.Meanwhile, in a virtual conference with minister, arhtiyas (commission nts) demanded that y continue to get ir commission.

re is an atmosphere of fear among arhtiyas in Punjab. y want to kw wher y will get commission in coming days or t ,said one of m, ding that state h around 27,000 arhtiyas.A commission nt also objected to being called a middleman.

minister assured m that Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act will stay.

Meanwhile, activists of Aam Ami Party held a protest outside virtual conference venue in Bathinda. y raised slogans against BJP-led Union government. 

(IM CREDITS:PTI)