'New trend': Opposition using rumours to misguide farmers, says PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said farmers are being misguided about the farm laws in the name of futuristic and baseless threats to their interests.
"New farm laws have been brought for effective implementation of the promises made to farmers. The policies are being drafted not to deceive farmers but with an intent as pure as Gangajal," PM said in Varanasi.
Asserting that the new farm laws empower farmers and gives more options to them, the Prime Minister accused the opposition parties of spreading a disinformation campaign.
"Those who played tricks with the interests of farmers have launched a concerted disinformation campaign," PM Modi said in Varanasi.
"There's new trend now, earlier decisions of govt were opposed, now rumours have become basis for opposition. Propaganda is spread that although decision is right, it can lead to other consequences, about things that haven't happened or will never happen. Same is with farm laws," he said.
The Prime Minister said that loan waiver was a trick as profitability to farmers was denied and profitability to middleman was ensured.
"The new agricultural laws have been brought in for benefit of the farmers. We will see and experience benefits of these new laws in the coming days," he said.
"Earlier smaller farmers could not reach the mandi. New farm bills will not only give more options to them but also ensure legal protection of their rights," he said.
Strongly denying rumours about closure of mandis, PM said crores of rupees are being spent on modernising the mandis and there was no question of closing them.
Why would the government make so much of investment on mandis if they were to be closed? he asked.
"If a section of farmers are sceptical it is because they have always been deceived earlier," he added.