Modi 'finishing' farmers and labourers with new farms laws: Rahul Gandhi

Sangrur (Punjab), Oct 5 (PTI) Congress leer Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was finishing "farmers and labourers" with three farms laws just as he h “destroyed” small shopkeepers with demonetisation and GST. dressing a garing in this Punjab town, Gandhi also asked BJP-led Centre why it was in a hurry to bring laws when re was a pandemic on.

“Like he (Modi) finished small shopkeepers and small medium businesses with GST (Goods and Services Tax) and demonetisation, he is finishing farmers and labourers same way and slashing your throats with se three laws,” he said.

Gandhi underscored need for improving food procurement and Public Distribution System and ackwledged that y h shortcomings.

 “re is a need to strengn this system. More mandis need to be set up. re is need to guarantee MSP (minimum support price). re is need to give infrastructure to farmers. re is need to set up silos,” he said.

“Narendra Modi is t doing this. Modi is t strengning system... If Modi gives better PDS and guarantees MSP and gives more mandis, n Ambani and ani cant make money,” Congress leer alleged . Gandhi, who is holding a series of tractor rallies named 'Kheti Bachao Yatra' across state to protest Centre's new farm laws, accused prime minister of “destroying” system.

   Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also dressed garing and hit out at Centre over new farm laws.

         Terming m "black laws", Singh said his government would take fight forward and take every step to safeguard interest of farming community.

“It is total injustice with farmers,” said Singh while referring to three laws.

      AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, ministers Balbir Sidhu, Vijay Inder Singla, Rana Gurmit Sodhi and Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda were among leers present on occasion.

        However, MLA and former minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was t re.          President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill; Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, which were passed by Parliament last month. PTI CHS VSD MIN MIN