Farmers' protest: PM Modi says agri reforms will help create new markets

New Delhi: The new agri laws will bring down barriers between agricultural and associated sectors creating new markets for the farmers who will gain from technological advances, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

PM Modi was speaking at the 93rd annual general meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). "Today Indian farmers can sell their produce both at the mandis, as well as outside. They can also sell their produce on digital platforms. We have been taking all these initiatives to increase the farmers' income and make them more prosperous," he said.

This comes after the agitating farmers intensified protests and closed the toll plazas in Haryana on Saturday morning as talks with the Central government have been inconclusive.

PM Modi also mentioned how a right and just government wants all stakeholders to use its talents and contribute.

"India's corporate tax is among the most competitive in the world. We're also one of the few countries that have a faceless assessment and faceless appeal facility. In a direct influence on other sectors as well," he said.

Meanwhile, security had been raised by the Delhi police in the city's border areas following the announcement by agitating farmers to block the Jaipur-Delhi and the Delhi-Agra Expressways on Saturday to further intensify their protest against the Centre's new agri laws.

Farmers have been protesting against the Central government's three agricultural reforms for many days. Several rounds of talks have been held between the leaders of farmer groups and union ministers, but have failed to reach a logical conclusion.

The sixth round was supposed to be held on Wednesday but got cancelled, however, both the sides maintained that they were open for dialogue.

The leaders have further rejected the Centre's proposal to amend the new reforms and added that they would intensify their protest by blocking the Jaipur-Delhi and the Delhi-Agra expressways by Saturday, and further escalate to a countrywide protest on December 14.

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