Bathinda: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday asserted that no power in the world can compromise the interests of the farmers of Punjab and the country as long as Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, while addressing concerns over free trade agreements (FTAs).
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Referring to criticism by rival parties, Chouhan said, "they spread many false things. They talk about the FTA, saying that the interests of farmers will be harmed in FTAs.
"I, India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, am saying that as long as Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, no power in the world can compromise the interests of the farmers of Punjab and the country," he said.
The interests of farmers of Punjab and the country are completely secure, the minister said, noting that farmers and farming would also remain protected.
Chouhan said he would discuss a roadmap for agriculture during his next visit to Punjab.
"Punjab has to be saved, Punjab's agriculture also has to be saved. Punjab's farmers also have to be saved. Industries and businesses have to be brought back to Punjab. Punjab's education system has to be fixed, employment opportunities have to be provided in Punjab and the youth of Punjab have to be freed from drugs," he added.
Targeting the AAP government, Chouhan said it has not implemented Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and also said that had it been in force, there would have been full compensation for crop damages.
Chouhan was in Talwandi Sabo where he flagged off BJP's fourth statewide 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra' on Monday.
On this occasion, other BJP leaders, including Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, party's Punjab in-charge Satish Poonia, Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh and , BJP National Vice President Manpreet Singh Badal were present.
Punjab BJP president Dhillon said the BJP is committed to eradicating drugs from Punjab.
Dhillon said that anyone who raised their voice for their rights in Punjab was treated as an "enemy" by the Aam Aadmi Party government.
He said only the BJP could pull the people of Punjab out of this quagmire.
He appealed to the people to vote the BJP into power if they wanted to save their children and see Punjab become economically stronger.
Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) had been murdered in Amritsar two days earlier.
Jakhar said under the Mann government, "a state of lawlessness" was spreading across Punjab and gangsters were operating without fear.
He said before coming to power, AAP had promised the people of Punjab that drugs would be eradicated from the state. However, the exact opposite was happening.
BJP leader Manpreet Badal said BJP was taking a pledge from the sacred land of Talwandi Sabo to destroy the drug network in Punjab. He said the Mann government had "failed" on every front.
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If BJP comes to power, Punjab will be freed from its hardships and would become economically stronger, stating that the state was currently burdened with debt, he stated.
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