New Delhi, March 22 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was surprised by rumours against the land acquisition bill and defended the legislation saying it was aimed at the welfare of farmers.

Addressing the country's farmers in his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said: "I am perplexed to learn about so many rumours spread against the bill (land acquisition)."

Modi said the law was 120 years old and has been in force for over 60 years since India gained independence. Therefore, it needed some amendments to benefit the farmers.

"This bill is aimed at the welfare of farmers and villages," Modi said, adding that the "rumours were anti-farmer" and were meant to keep the farmers poor and backward.

"If states have objection to amendments in land acquisition bill, they can continue with the old law," Modi said.

Slamming those opposing the bill, Modi said political leaders who were protesting against the bill have governed under the old law which has failed to benefit the farmers in the last 60 years.

"With this Mann Ki Baat, the administration will get a strong message to resolve your issues," Modi added.