Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared that the farm reforms legislated by his government are "optional and not compulsory", asserting that the government honours the farmers and is ready to accept their logical suggestions on the three contentious farm laws. In the backdrop of the ongoing farmers' agitation on Delhi's borders for over two months, Modi said "rumours are being spread that these laws are against the farmers".

Modi said that these laws were passed in Parliament in view of reforms in the agriculture sector as it was the need of the hour.

He asked "whether these three farm laws snatched the facilities of farmers which they were getting earlier?"

"There is no restriction on anyone. These laws do not create obstacles in the growth of farmers. These laws are optional, not compulsory. These acts neither stopped old 'Mandis' nor affected purchase of produce on Minimum Support Price (MSP)."

Modi said that the government has always honoured farmers and it will continue giving them respect in future too, and that the government is still ready to accept their logical suggestions on these laws even after several rounds of talks with them.

He said that the government had held various rounds of dialogue with the farmers even before they reached Delhi where they are agitating since November 26 seeking withdrawal of these laws termed as "black laws" and "anti-farmer laws".

"We are still ready to hold further rounds of talks with the farmers with open heart and take their suggestions on these three farm laws," Modi said.

(IANS)