Country’s crisis gives them joy: PM Modi takes dig at Opposition in Gujarat

Banaskantha (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Oct 30, took a swipe at the Opposition without naming any party, accusing it of trying to create panic and spread misinformation during the ongoing Iran war to damage his government’s image.
Addressing a gathering in Gujarat’s Banaskantha, PM Modi said some people appeared to take pleasure when the country faced a crisis and attempted to create an atmosphere of uncertainty.
PM Modi said India was dealing with the impact of the Iran war through collective efforts, but accused the Opposition of trying to frighten farmers and women by spreading concerns over the availability of fertilisers and cooking gas.
“When the country is facing a crisis, these people enjoy it. While India is collectively dealing with the impact of the Iran war, they tried to scare farmers by saying fertilisers would not be available and women by claiming that cooking gas would run out,” he said.
The Prime Minister claimed that such attempts were aimed at creating unrest in the country and tarnishing his government’s reputation.
He said the country had continued to ensure that farmers did not face difficulties despite the war, adding that fertiliser was still being made available at around Rs 300.
PM Modi also said India’s rapid economic growth was drawing global attention despite uncertainty across the world. He accused previous governments of making promises to farmers, including on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), without fulfilling them, and said his government had delivered on those commitments.
MODI HIGHLIGHTS MSP, PM-KISAN SUPPORT FOR FARMERS
Citing figures to highlight the government’s support for farmers, PM Modi said around Rs 24 lakh crore had been transferred to wheat and paddy farmers as MSP payments over the past 12 years.
He also said nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of small farmers under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme.
The Prime Minister said small farmers, who account for more than 85% of the country’s farming community, had been overlooked for decades. He said his government had prioritised their welfare through direct financial assistance and other measures.
PM Modi’s remarks came during his two-day visit to Gujarat, which began with a roadshow in Banaskantha on Friday. During the visit, he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 14,000 crore in the district.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to dedicate the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre at Bhildi in Banaskantha.
Spread across 127 acres, the facility will focus on bovine breeding, genetic improvement and advanced reproductive technologies.
It is the country’s first facility of its kind dedicated to the Kankrej cattle breed.
PM Modi will also lay the foundation stones for two Bio-CNG plants of Banas Dairy at Tharad and Radhanpur, which will process 75 metric tonnes and 100 metric tonnes of cattle dung per day, respectively.
Other projects include the expansion of Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2, covering the airport and GIFT City extensions, and the widening of the Ahmedabad-Mehsana Road from four lanes to eight lanes at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate 361 completed child-friendly Anganwadi centres and lay the foundation stones for 4,030 new centres. The initiative involves an investment of Rs 800 crore and is expected to benefit more than four lakh people.