New Delhi, Mar 22 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he felt "ashamed at times" about the sufferings caused to farmers and farm workers by the ruling class.

Addressing farmers in his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', he said he was pained to hear about poor crops due to rains or not getting fertilizers on time or being forced to drink dirty water.

"I feel ashamed at times on what we (the ruling class) have done... I don't have any answer for that but I can assure you that I would make my government aware on issues related to you," he said.

Modi regretted that unseasonal rain had created problems for the farmers.

"I know the farmer is in trouble. He who works so hard throughout the year has lost everything because of these problems... I assure you that I am with you in these difficult times," Modi said.

He said all departments and officials concerned had been asked to study the situation related to farmers so that the government could help them.

Opening his heart out to the farmers, he said he did not imagine that they would pose so many questions to him ahead of his radio talk.

"When I thought of doing 'Mann Ki Baat' with farmers, I did not imagine these many questions would be asked," he said.

"I was amazed to know how active and aware you are... I learnt about your pain after reading your letters," he said.

Farmers' interests vis-a-vis corporates' fully protected: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured farmers that their interests in relation to private industry will remain fully protected even through the changes proposed in the land acquisition act.

"I want to tell you loud and clear that all the rules applicable to private industry and enterprise in the land acquisition law of 2013 will continue to apply," Modi said in his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to farmers.

"The industrial corridors (on acquired land) are not private, it is the government which will make them," he added.

The government has proposed amending the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, to expand sectors where assessment and mandatory 80 percent consent of landowners will not be required.

The five sectors where the mandatory consent clause and the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) will not be applicable are when land is acquired for national security, defence, rural infrastructure, industrial corridors and housing for the poor including public-private partnership (PPP) where ownership of land continues to be vested with the government.

However, in a pro-farmer move, the present government is proposing that resettlement and compensation provisions be made applicable for 13 existing pieces of legislation under which there is no uniform central policy of rehabilitation and resettlement.

These acts are the Coal Bearing Areas Acquisition and Development Act, 1957; the National Highways Act, 1956; Land Acquisition (Mines) Act, 1885; Atomic Energy Act, 1962; the Indian Tramways Act, 1886; the Railways Act, 1989; the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958; the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962; the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948; the Electricity Act, 2003; the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Act, 1952; the Resettlement of Displaced Persons (Land Acquisition) Act, 1948; and the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978.

Surprised by rumours against land acquisition bill: Modi

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.