Modi says government hiked diesel price by Rs 7 instead of Rs 50
The Prime Minister stated that the government is bearing a monthly loss of Rs 14,000 crore to protect farmers from rising crude oil costs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that his government increased diesel prices by only Rs 7 per litre instead of the necessary Rs 50 per litre to protect the interests of farmers. Speaking at the India Today Group’s ‘Kisan Tak Agriculture Conference’, the Prime Minister noted that the government is absorbing a monthly loss of Rs 14,000 crore due to rising crude oil prices caused by the war in West Asia, according to The Indian Express.
Modi stated that while prices in neighbouring countries rose by 40-50 per cent, his administration chose to shoulder the burden. He mentioned that a recent World Bank study indicated 50 crore people in India have escaped poverty in 12-13 years, with small farmers being among the beneficiaries.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the agricultural sector has achieved an average growth rate of 4 per cent, marking the first time this has happened in a decade since Independence. He added that India is the top producer of milk, rice, jute, and millets, while ranking second in wheat and fish production.
Regarding production trends, Modi said milk production has risen by 70 per cent and egg production by 90 per cent over the last decade, while fish production has doubled. He also noted that the number of soil testing labs has increased during his tenure.
Modi urged farmers to adopt natural farming to protect the soil from chemical damage and encouraged manufacturers to develop solar-powered agricultural equipment. He said the goal is to transform farmers into agri-preneurs.
The Prime Minister concluded by stating that India is working towards a deadline of 2047 to become a developed nation by the time the country completes 100 years of Independence.