India / We cannot build next century with previous century's laws: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said reforms are needed for development and some laws from the past century have become a burden now.

"Reforms are needed for development. Reforms are very much needed for a new order and to give new facilities. We cannot build the next century with the laws of the previous century,” PM Modi said while launching the Agra Metro rail project through video conference. "The reforms carried out by the government are also getting reflected in election results," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister's pitch on the importance of reforms comes ahead of Tuesday's 'Bharat Bandh' over the three new farm laws enacted by the Centre. However, the PM made no direct reference to the new laws or the farmers' protests. Tuesday's 'Bharat Bandh' call has been given by various farmer organisations, and supported by most opposition parties.

“Some laws that used to be good in the past century have become a burden in the present century. Reforms should be a continuous process," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said his government is carrying out “holistic reforms”. “Earlier, reforms used to happen in a piecemeal manner, or keeping in mind some sectors and departments," Modi said.

The PM said the reforms carried out in recent past have infused self-confidence in the country, adding that people will be satisfied when they go through the “finer details”.

“This confidence has been seen in every election in the recent past. A glimpse of this confidence is seen in the election results in every part of the country, including UP," he said.

The PM said in recent years the poor and the middle class have showered their “unprecedented blessings” on the efforts of the government. He said their support and the small joys experienced by the countrymen “gives me the courage to do new things and take new initiatives".

Modi said his government intends to solve the festering problems faced by people, make life easy, increase investment and ensure the maximum use of modern technology.

He said a major problem in the country's infrastructure sector was that new projects were announced but not much attention was given on how they will be funded.

Various farmers' organisations have hit the streets to protest the new laws. Large number of farmers, mostly from Punjab, have been camping at several entry points to Delhi, demanding that the three new laws be withdrawn.

The government has so far held five rounds of talks to with farmer leaders, but the deadlock is yet to be broken. In the last round of talks, the government has agreed to amend some provisions in the laws. However the details are not yet known. The next round of talks is scheduled for Wednesday.