Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday stressed on the importance of “discussion” for the smooth functioning of a democracy while referring to the three farm bills, brought in by the Narendra Modi government, that have triggered farmers’ protests in different parts of the country.

“Discussions are quintessential for the smooth functioning of any democratic nation throughout the globe. They aid in problem-solving, better policy formulation and ensure participation in the policy making process,” said Baghel.

“When we formulate policies without discussion, then its fate turns out to be the same as agricultural bills passed by the central government,” he added.

Baghel was addressing a Leadership Keynote session of the 19th edition of Infocom, an initiative of ABP, which publishes The Telegraph, and gave the example of how lack of discussions over the farm bills resulted in criticism against the new provisions that the Modi regime has brought in the garb of reforms in the agriculture sector.

The Chhattisgarh chief minister appreciated the ABP group’s endeavour in “constantly encouraging the practice of holding healthy discussions”.

In his address, titled “Chhattisgarh in the new normal”, at eastern India’s biggest ICT conclave, Baghel dwelt elaborately on how

the Indian economy was heading towards a recession and then contrasted how Chhattisgarh managed to buck the trend.

“This (Union) government has brought us down to a stagnant minus GDP growth rate of 23.9 per cent from the pre-existing GDP growth rate of 8 per cent.

“This has never happened even after so many years of Independence. Today the Indian economy has entered into the dark phase of recession,” Baghel said.

He added that he was pained to see that adequate measures weren’t taken by the central government even after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s warning that the country was heading towards a recession.

According to Baghel, the plight of an average Indian citizen today proves that India’s economy has been badly affected due to cumulative effect of multiple central policies.

“The upset farmers have reached Delhi, labourers are unemployed and agitated, and middle-class citizens are losing their jobs. Unemployment and inflation are constantly increasing and there are no signs of peace prevailing in our borders,” the chief minister added.

Even amid such despair, Chhattisgarh has managed to keep its economy stable because of “pre-planning, visionary decisions, strong will power and positive attitude”, he said.

In his speech Baghel mentioned that since his government came to power on December 17, 2018, it had worked for the development of the rural and agrarian economy.

Waiving off agricultural loans worth Rs 9,000 crore within an hour of forming the government was one among many such steps.

“Chhattisgarh is the only state in India to procure paddy at the price of Rs 2,500 per quintal,” he said, adding that the state government has introduced the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, under which the state government is transferring Rs 5,750 crore directly into the bank accounts of 19 lakh farmers.

“The biggest factor which contributed towards Chhattisgarh’s stable state of economy amid Covid-19, was the amount that was provided by the state government to the farmers,” Baghel said.