Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
'Vocal for local will boost jobs, PM Modi sees farmers as nation builders': Anil Vij
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 2, 2025 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij on Friday strongly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Vocal for Local’, stating that domestic manufacturing and consumption will directly generate employment and strengthen India’s economy.
Addressing a gathering of farmers at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tepla (Ambala) during the PM Kisan Utsav program, Vij said, “The Prime Minister has given the slogan ‘Vocal for Local’, meaning we should produce and use goods within our own country. Employment will increase only when we manufacture these items domestically and use Indian-made products.”
Underlining India’s progress under PM Modi’s leadership, Vij said the country has made historic strides in agriculture, industry, health, education, women empowerment, and Digital India.
“The Prime Minister’s visionary policies have positioned India strongly on the global stage. He has been honored by over 27 countries, a mark of the growing global respect for India,” he said.
Vij praised the PM-Kisan scheme for its transparency, highlighting the direct transfer of ₹20,500 crore to the bank accounts of 9.57 crore farmers under its 20th installment. In Ambala district alone, ₹9.28 crore was credited to 46,431 farmers.
He recalled how only ₹15 out of every ₹100 used to reach the poor during the Rajiv Gandhi era due to middlemen. “Today, that leakage is gone. The BJP government has eliminated middlemen, ensuring that full benefits reach the rightful recipients,” Vij said.
Since the scheme’s inception in 2019, ₹3.69 lakh crore has been distributed till the 19th installment.
Vij lauded PM Modi for recognizing the role of farmers as nation builders. He emphasized that with 65% of India’s population dependent on agriculture, the government is committed to modernizing the sector and uplifting farmers' lives.
“We aim to make India a developed nation by 2047, and agriculture is at the heart of that mission,” he added.
Targeting the previous Congress regimes, Vij said that during Nehru’s time, 80% of Indus River water was given to Pakistan.
“Now, PM Modi has suspended the Indus Water Treaty and initiated efforts to redirect that water to Indian states like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
Vij also announced that the remaining portion of the Saha–Highway road in Ambala will soon be four-laned, with approvals already in place.
He urged agricultural scientists to raise awareness among farmers about modern farming methods, improved seeds, fertilizers, and crop planning to enhance productivity.
During the program, PM Modi addressed the farmers via video conference from Varanasi, encouraging them to adopt progressive practices. Dignitaries present included SDM Vinesh Kumar, Dr. Rajendra Kumar Singh, Dr. Jaswinder Saini, and several BJP leaders and local officials.