Narendra Modi Defends Fuel Subsidies and Attacks Opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Indian government is absorbing a monthly loss of Rs 14,000 crore to shield farmers from rising diesel costs. Speaking at the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Modi explained that while West Asian conflicts drove crude oil prices from $70 to $122 per barrel, the government limited diesel price hikes to Rs 7 per litre instead of the required Rs 50.

Modi detailed further agricultural support, including a Rs 16 lakh crore allocation for fertilizer subsidies to keep urea affordable. He highlighted the PM-KUSUM scheme's delivery of 1.2 million solar pumps and the administration of free livestock vaccinations for over eight crore farmers to combat Foot and Mouth Disease. He stated the government aims to transition food providers into agricultural entrepreneurs through technology and value addition.

During the same event, Modi criticized the Indian National Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of treating the Constitution and democracy as personal property. He alleged that the previous Congress-led government attempted to suppress a report ranking Gujarat as India's best-performing state during his tenure as Chief Minister, characterizing the opposition's behavior as an intoxication with power.