Shah Says Agriculture and Dairy Fully Protected in India’s Trade Agreements
Gandhinagar, Sunday: Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading false information about India’s trade agreements with the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, asserting that the government has safeguarded the interests of farmers and the dairy sector in every deal.Addressing a gathering in Gandhinagar after launching India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency based Public Distribution System, Shah dismissed allegations that recent trade agreements would harm Indian farmers.
He said that when Rahul Gandhi speaks about protecting farmers in Parliament, it appears ironic, adding that the Congress has a history of misleading the country and is now spreading lies about trade deals.
Shah maintained that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, farmers’ interests have been fully protected in all agreements signed with global partners.
Debate Challenge Over EU, UK and US Agreements
Shah claimed that Gandhi has been spreading misinformation that trade deals with the European Union, England and America would damage farmers and bring an end to India’s dairy sector. He assured farmers that both agriculture and dairy have been fully protected in every agreement.He also challenged Gandhi to engage in a public debate on the issue.
Referring to developments in trade relations, Shah noted that after a phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, both sides recently announced a reduction of US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent from 50 percent.
Last month, India and the European Union concluded negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement.
Defending the agreements, Shah said they would provide Indian agricultural produce and fishermen’s products access to global markets while ensuring that farmers’ interests remain secure. He added that the BJP and Prime Minister Modi would never compromise with farmers’ welfare.
Comparison of UPA and NDA on Farmers’ Welfare
Drawing a comparison between the 10 years of the Manmohan Singh led UPA government and a decade under the Modi government, Shah said the current administration has procured 15 times more foodgrains from farmers at Minimum Support Price.He stated that during the Congress government, the budget allocation for farmers was around Rs 26,000 crore, whereas under Prime Minister Modi it has increased to over Rs 1.29 lakh crore.
Shah also referred to the direct income support scheme under which Rs 6,000 is transferred annually into farmers’ bank accounts, saying it ensures that farmers do not have to depend on loans.
He said that over the past decade, 27 crore people have been lifted above the poverty line and 81 crore people are receiving free foodgrains in a transparent manner. He contrasted this with the Congress slogan of poverty removal, claiming that the current government has delivered concrete welfare measures such as housing, gas connections, toilets, drinking water, free foodgrains and health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh.
CBDC-Based Public Distribution System Launched in Gujarat
Shah launched India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency based Public Distribution System and inaugurated an ‘Annapurti’ Grain ATM facility in Gujarat.He described the initiative as a major reform in food distribution and food security, aimed at ensuring complete transparency and eliminating corruption in the distribution of foodgrains.
According to Shah, in several remote and aspirational districts, including parts of the North East and other backward regions, beneficiaries often did not receive their entitled 5 kilograms of foodgrains per person. He said that due to leakages in the system, foodgrains were siphoned off before reaching the intended recipients.
He asserted that under the fully digital system, every beneficiary would receive their rightful share without interference.
Shah expressed satisfaction that Gujarat, particularly his parliamentary constituency, was selected for the pilot launch. He said the system would ensure that poor citizens receive rations such as wheat, rice, pulses, oil, salt and sugar in a transparent manner, leaving no scope for middlemen.
He added that just as Direct Benefit Transfer eliminated leakages worth over Rs 15 lakh crore, the CBDC based PDS would strengthen transparency across the country.
Through the Annapurti Grain ATMs, Public Distribution System beneficiaries in Gujarat will be able to receive one kilogram packets of toor dal, chana, salt and sugar through automated machines round the clock.
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi said that after Gujarat, the government plans to implement the CBDC based PDS in Chandigarh, Puducherry and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, before expanding it nationwide.
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