Gandhinagar, February 15. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday categorically dismissed Congress allegations that India’s recent trade agreements with the United States and the European Union would harm farmers. Speaking at an event after inaugurating the country’s first Central Bank Digital Currency-based public distribution system, Shah assured that the government has fully safeguarded the interests of the agriculture, dairy, and fisheries sectors in every deal.
Shah directly targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading farmers about the implications of free trade agreements. ‘When Rahul Gandhi stands in Parliament talking about protecting farmers, it sounds ridiculous,’ he remarked. ‘Congress has a long history of misleading the nation, and now they’re spreading lies about these trade pacts.’
Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role, Shah stated that every negotiation with the EU and US ensured complete protection for farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen. He highlighted the dramatic increase in agricultural budget from Rs 26,000 crore under the previous UPA government to Rs 1.29 lakh crore today.
‘Procurement of food grains at minimum support price has risen 15-fold compared to the UPA era,’ Shah added. He contrasted Congress’s unfulfilled promises of loan waivers over 70 years with the current direct benefit transfers of Rs 6,000 into farmers’ accounts, eliminating the need for loans.
Addressing concerns over dairy sector impacts from trade deals, Shah asserted that all agreements provide full protection to dairy production, which the government has strengthened rather than weakened. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to a public debate on the issue, noting that even the BJP Yuva Morcha president is ready to participate.
These remarks come amid recent announcements: a US-India trade deal following talks between PM Modi and President Donald Trump, and a completed free trade agreement with the EU last month. Shah’s strong defense underscores the government’s commitment to farmers amid ongoing political rhetoric.