Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused opposition parties of spreading baseless rumours about potential shortages in fertiliser and cooking gas supplies. Speaking in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district on October 30, Modi asserted that these allegations were aimed at creating panic among the population and tarnishing the government’s reputation.
Modi assured the public that his administration has secured the availability of fertilisers despite international tensions and price hikes. He highlighted that the government is subsidising costs to shield farmers from the impact of rising international fertiliser prices. For instance, he noted that a bag of urea costing about ₹3,000 in the global market is provided to Indian farmers for less than ₹300, and DAP fertiliser, priced at around ₹5,000 internationally, is available at ₹1,350 per bag domestically.
During the event, Modi also released the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, which grants ₹6,000 annually in direct income support to eligible farmers. He emphasized that various governmental agricultural initiatives have benefited farmers significantly, claiming they have received or saved over ₹50 lakh crore through support programmes like minimum support prices, crop insurance, and solar-powered irrigation.
In his address, Modi cited improvements across several agricultural sectors, including dairy production, fisheries, and technological advancements, as evidence of the government’s commitment to boosting farmers’ incomes and enhancing rural livelihoods.
Further underscoring the government’s efforts to support the agricultural sector, Modi inaugurated the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre in Bhildi, a facility dedicated to the indigenous Kankrej cattle breed, which aims to advance research and development in livestock breeding.
Reflecting on his long-standing public service, Modi recalled his first oath as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2001, marking 25 years in public office. He credited the people of Gujarat for their support during his tenure and expressed his dedication to serving the nation.
