Next “Mann Ki Baat” will be for Indian Farmers said PM Narendra Modi - March 2015

PM Narendra Modi announced that he would have next “Mann Ki Baat” with Indian farmers. The radio programme will be aired on Thursday, 22nd March 2015. PM Modi announced this news via twitter.

"On March 22, I will have 'Mann ki Baat' with my farmer brothers and sisters," he tweeted.

"I want to know the issues of the farmers and want them to write to me," he added in another tweet.

PM Narendra Modi's address to farmers assumes importance as the agriculture community is currently a subject of debate in the context of the new Land Acquisition Bill which the government is trying hard to get passed by Parliament.

The land bill, which seeks to modify the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, has come under severe criticism from various parties, which contend that it will hurt farmers' interests.

At a public meeting last week in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa, which was also attended by farmers, Modi defended his government and assured farmers that his government will not take any step to hurt their interests.

'Mann Ki Baat' was started in October 2014 and has covered topics like 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan', rising cases of drug addiction in the country and black money. PM Modi also addressed the board students in one session and he had boosted them to give exams with confidence.

The radio programme is also significant because Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh; all of which are affiliates of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh like the BJP—have declared their opposition to the changes in law.

The land bill was passed by Lok Sabha on March 10 and is now set to face a tough test in Rajya Sabha, where the ruling NDA is in a minority.