We have decided to repeal three farm laws: PM Modi
Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the prime minister said the three laws were for the benefit of farmers, but "we couldn't convince a section of farmers despite best efforts".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year.
Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the prime minister said the three laws were for the benefit of farmers, but "we couldn't convince a section of farmers despite best efforts".
The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers, he said.
The agriculture budget has risen by five times with over Rs 1.25 lakh crore being spent annually, Modi said.
He also highlighted his government's measures to benefit small farmers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"I have experienced farmers' difficulties, challenges from very close quarters in my five decades of public life," the prime minister said.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his announcement that the government has decided to repeal the Centre's three farm laws.
"Great news! Thankful to PM @narendramodi ji for acceding to the demands of every Punjabi and repealing the 3 black laws on the pious occasion of #GuruNanakJayanti. I am sure the central government will continue to work in tandem for the development of Kisani! #NoFarmers_NoFood @AmitShah," Singh said in a tweet.
The Bharatiyan Kisan Union's (BKU) Ugrahan faction also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement.
"It is a good move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Gurupurab," Joginder Singh Ugrahan, the leader of BKU's Ugrahan faction, told PTI.
On the prime minister's appeal to protesting farmers to return to their homes, Ugrahan said, "Farmers' unions will sit together and decide the future course of action."
BKU (Ugrahan) is the largest among the all protesting farmers unions and protesting at the Tikri border. Ugrahan faction of the BKU has sizeable presence across Punjab.
Various farmers unions have been protesting at the borders of the national capital since last year to demand repeal of three farm laws.
Edited by Megha Reddy