Farm reforms needed, 'status quo' doesn't achieve things: PM Modi

Government respects farmers, continues talks with them on agriculture laws: Prime Minister in Lok Sabha.

The government respects "farmers' sentiments" but reforms in agriculture are necessary for the country’s progress, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, defending laws enacted in September that have sparked protests by cultivators.

"Status quo cannot change things—the youth of the country cannot wait," he said in the Lok Sabha while replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s address to Parliament.

Demanding the repeal of three new farm laws that they say will hurt them to the benefit of large corporations and allow the government to discontinue buying food grains at a minimum support price (MSP), tens of