Reforms in the agricultural sector, in the last six months, have started giving benefits to the farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently, addressing the ASSOCHAM Foundation week.

"Benefits of agricultural reforms which had begun six months, have started reaching the farmers", the Prime Minister said, touching upon a range of issues, including vaccine against Covid-19 pandemic, corporate governance, Research and Development, improving rural economy and renewed interest of global investors in India.

The Prime Minister's address was attended by India's top industry leaders, including Mr Ratan Tata who was conferred the 'ASSOCHAM Enterprise of the Century Award' award for upholding and taking forward the ethos and values of the House of Tatas.

“Sir, you have been the carrier of leadership, you have not dithered, you have not escaped, you have turned them and frontally lead the country through this period for which I should say, we should all be most obliged,” said Mr Tata.

Asking the industry to feel unshackled, the Prime Minister said as part of Atmanirbhar initiative, India has made up its mind and is committed to reforms in rules and regulations. His government has repealed as many 1500 laws in the last six months. These had become outdated and outlived their utility.

He said with the improved physical and digital infrastructure, farmers can have a better market for their products, helping the entire rural economy reach a new high.

"The efforts by the government to reduce the rural-urban divide in the last six years can be multiplied by the industry," the Prime Minister said, asking the industry to be focussed more towards rural India.

He said, "today focus is being given on both physical and digital infrastructure" and ensuring the farmers have access to the digital market. Broadband and other digital infrastructure is being taken to the villages. 

He placed emphasis on organic farming, herbal products and Start Ups in the rural landscape.

Talking about the Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing plan, the Prime Minister said India would not only meet its own vaccine requirement but would also reach out to several countries with the same.  He said the challenge before the country is how soon the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat is achieved.

India's success has a positivity never seen in the past. For global investors, the country has transformed itself from "Why India" to "Why Not India". This is reflected in the robust inflows of foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment even at times of the pandemic-hit global economy, the Prime Minister said. India has moved towards ease of doing business in terms of labour laws, regulatory compliances, Startup ecosystems and the broad policy of giving a 'Red Carpet' treatment to investors.

Calling upon ASSOCHAM and the entire India Inc to help devise a mechanism to deal with the fast -changing geo-political situations in the world, Mr Modi said the industry must also look at scaling up corporate governance. Whether it is dealing with gender parity, corporate governance, labour inclusivity and interest of other stakeholders, "what you expect from the government and society", must be done by the industry as well.