Gandhinagar, Feb 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading “lies” about India’s trade deals with the US, UK, and EU, asserting that the Modi government has fully safeguarded farmers, dairy producers, and fishermen.
Speaking at a gathering in Gandhinagar after launching India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS), Shah described Congress claims that trade agreements would harm Indian agriculture as “laughable.”
He challenged Gandhi to a public debate on who has truly worked for farmers’ welfare.
Shah highlighted that previous Congress governments signed agreements detrimental to Indian agriculture, which were reversed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014.
He assured that all trade deals protect farmers’ interests and will provide global market access for agricultural and fishery products.
Regarding concerns over the dairy sector, Shah stated that the Modi government has expanded it, contrary to Gandhi’s claims.
The Home Minister also contrasted the Modi government’s achievements with Congress’s record, citing initiatives like free foodgrains, housing, gas connections, toilets, drinking water, and health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh.
He said 27 crore people were lifted above the poverty line in the past decade and 81 crore currently receive free foodgrains transparently.
He emphasized that farmers now receive MSP-procured foodgrains 15 times higher than under the UPA, with the budget allocation for farmers rising from Rs 26,000 crore to over Rs 1.29 lakh crore.
Additionally, he noted the government’s direct cash transfers of Rs 6,000 annually to farmers, reducing dependence on loans.
Shah elaborated on the CBDC-based PDS and ‘Grain ATM’ initiative, calling it a major reform to ensure transparency and eliminate corruption in food distribution.
The system will digitally track and deliver 5 kg of foodgrains per person, preventing leakages in remote and aspirational districts, including the North East.
Beneficiaries will receive wheat, rice, pulses, oil, salt, and sugar in a fully transparent, automated process via ‘Annapurti’ Grain ATMs.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed that after the Gujarat pilot, the CBDC-based PDS will expand to Chandigarh, Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and eventually nationwide.
Shah stated that this step mirrors the success of the Direct Benefit Transfer system, which eliminated leakages worth over Rs 15 lakh crore, and will further strengthen food security and protect citizens’ rights. (PTI)
