Previous governments lacked courage to effect farm reforms due to poll-focussed mindset: PM Modi

Taking a swipe at opposition's protest against farm reform laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday those parties also h same idea but lacked cour to implement se measures because y focussed on elections while his government looked at country's and farmers' welfare.

dressing his second public meeting after inaugurating Atal Tunnel in Rohtang in Himachal Presh, Modi said those protesting against laws wanted farmers to live in previous century, and are w jolted by his government's attack on middlemen.

ruling BJP has cited Congress manifesto for 2019 Lok Sabha polls to assert that opposition party h also promised same laws which Modi government has enacted to allow farmers to sell ir produce outside state-controlled 'mandi' but is w criticising m for political reasons.

Modi also spoke of benefits of new labour sector laws and said reforms will continue as his government works to realise its goal of "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India), asserting that regulations of previous century will t work in a new century.

Our reforms have troubled those who have always worked for political benefits, he said, ding that new labour reforms have given women same salary and opportunities as men h so far.

ir mindset remained same while century changed, he said, attacking opposition. "You cant enter next century with mindset of past century," he said.

Modi said his government's reforms, including digitisation of services and direct transfer of money, have saved time and money while rooting out corruption. government is constantly trying to reduce problems of masses, he said.

Modi stopped his dress twice when he saw a person having some medical issues and directed officials to attend to him.

prime minister also dressed a public meeting at Sissu vill in Lahaul-Spiti region earlier in day, where he asserted that a major transformation has been effected in government's way of functioning and new schemes are more based on quantum of votes from an area as only focus w is 'development for all'.

This was his first public rally in more than six months ever since outbreak of coronavirus pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown in March. People were seated far from each or as per social distancing protocols at both public meetings.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and Himachal Presh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur were also present at public meetings.

Singh highlighted strategic importance of tunnel, saying it will make soldiers' deployment and movement of weapons and ration easier.

Earlier in day, Modi inaugurated strategically important all-wear Atal Tunnel and lashed out at Congress-led previous governments, saying strategic projects were neglected and defence interests were compromised for years.

tunnel, built at a cost of about Rs 3,300 crore, is extremely significant from point of view of country's defence.

Built by Border Ros Organisation, it has been billed as longest highway tunnel in world and reduces distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km. It also reduces travel time by four to five hours.

(Photo Credit: PTI) 

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