Political Rivals Misusing Farmers' Protest To Push Their Agenda: PM

Interacts with farmers from 6 states in outreach event

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PM Narendra Modi releases the next installment of financial benefit under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, through video conference, in New Delhi, on Friday

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday squarely blamed those with political agenda for the deadlock in the Centre’s talks with protesting farmers and asserted that his government is willing to hold dialogues with all, including those staunchly opposed to it, as long as talks are based on farm issues, facts and logic.

On Friday, Modi released Rs 18,000 crore as the next instalment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to over 9 crore farmers.

Under the PM-KISAN Scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmers, payable in three equal 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2,000 each through direct benefit transfer.

In a blistering speech targeting Opposition during the event, Modi said when the agitation began farmers had some genuine demands like guaranteed Minimum Support Price but people with political motives then took over and began making unrelated demands like the release of those accused of violence and making highways toll-free.