Patna (Bihar) [India], August 2 (ANI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is in Bihar, on Saturday said that the Central and state governments are jointly implementing many schemes for the welfare of farmers and are working relentlessly to increase farmers' income.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, the Union Minister said, 'In today's program, an amount of approximately 21,000 crore rupees under the Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi was released, and the central and state governments are jointly implementing many schemes for the welfare of farmers. Efforts to increase farmers' income are ongoing relentlessly.'

'I am a servant of the farmers, and serving farmers is akin to worshipping God. Today, we went among the farmers and met them... The farmer will buy what he wants; he cannot be forced to buy other things along with fertilizers... Such coercion with farmers will not be tolerated, and we will take strict action,' he added.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for purchasing only indigenous goods, Union Minister Chouhan expressed delight and said that farmers in Patna have taken pledge that farmers will buy only 'Made in India' products.

He said, 'Today, I am delighted that the farmers in Patna have taken a pledge that they will buy only those products made in our country, by our people. The Prime Minister has called for purchasing only indigenous goods... The Indian economy is a galloping horse, and no power in the world can stop it... If the 144 crore people of India start using goods made in our country, I believe the economy will see great progress.'

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will have to remain alert for its economic interests given the atmosphere of instability prevailing across the globe.

He emphasised that the 'top priority of the government remains the welfare of farmers, small industries and employment for youth.'

The Prime Minister also urged citizens to resolve to buy 'swadeshi' products as he reiterated his pitch that the country needs to adopt 'vocal for local'.

'We will buy only those things that are made by Indians. We need to become vocal for local,' PM Modi said while addressing a rally in his home constituency of Varanasi.

'There is an atmosphere of global instability. All countries are focusing on their individual interests. India is set to become the third biggest economy in the world, and that is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned,' he added.

The Prime Minister further stated that the top priority of the government remains to work for farmers, small-scale industries, and to generate employment opportunities for youth in the country.

'Our farmers, our small-scale industries, the employment for youth - their interest is our top priority. The government is doing everything it can in the best interest of the country. However, there are some responsibilities we have as citizens,' PM Modi said.

He said that those who wish to see India as the third biggest economy must resolve to buy 'swadeshi' products.'Those who want the best for the country and want to see India as the third biggest economy in the world, be it any political party, should leave their differences aside and instil a resolution for 'swadeshi' products,' PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also appealed to 'brothers and sisters in the business community' that when the world is going through such an atmosphere of instability, we too should sell only swadeshi goods.' (ANI)