Modi makes U-turn on farm laws after mass protestsAFP, NEW DELHIIndia is to scrap agricultural reform laws that sparked a year of huge protests by farmers, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yesterday in a surprising U-turn that sparked celebrations, but also criticism from economists. Farmers celebrate yesteday in Singhu, India, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a repeal of agricultural reform laws. Photo: AFPIn a contrite address to the nation coinciding with a major Sikh festival — the religion of many farmers — Modi said the laws would be repealed in parliament’s winter session, which begins later this month. Thousands of Indian farmers commit suicide every year because of poverty, debt and ever more erratic weather patterns caused by climate change. “Now there will be no agriculture sector reforms for the next 25 years...

Source: Taipei Times November 19, 2021 19:05 UTC