PM 'disrespecting' drought-hit farmers of TN: Rahul


New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI): Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "disrespecting" the drought-hit farmers of Tamil Nadu by not initiating talks with them over their demands for relief package.

He made the remarks during a visit to Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the farmers from the southern state who are camping here for the 18th day in a row.

Gandhi also accused the Modi-led government of being "anti-poor and anti-farmer" which, he alleged, only panders to the demands of a select group of industrialists. "The farmers have been sitting here for so long. But neither the government nor the Prime Minister are listening to them. The people and farmers of Tamil Nadu deserve to be heard by the Prime Minister who is disrespecting them by not initiating any dialogue," he said.

"Over the last three years, debt worth Rs 1.4 lakh crore held by 50 industrialists have been written off.

"Why the same is not being done in case of the farmers? Why are their debts not being waived? It is the Prime Minister's responsibility to do so," Gandhi said after interacting with the protesters and their leader P Ayyakkannu.

During the 15-minute interaction, he took note of all the demands of the protesters and assured them that the Congress will "fight for them" and raise their grievances "in Tamil Nadu as well as in Delhi and Parliament".

The Centre needs to provide debt waiver, drought relief and better support price to the farmers. Also the Prime Minister should at least start talks with them, Gandhi said.
He was accompanied by Tamil Nadu Congress chief Su. Thirunavukkarasar and senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Farmers belonging to the Cauvery belt in Tamil Nadu are protesting here demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore from the Centre, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board.

The protesters today wore 'rudhraksha' (seeds traditionally used for prayer beads) indicating a life of saints who has given up all earthly needs. "We will die at the national capital instead of returning to our state empty-handed," Ayyakkannu said.

It has not rained and ground water levels have gone down at many places in the state.

The water bodies are also drying. The poor farmers, who depend on their crops, are the most vulnerable section of the society and they always become victims of various vagaries, the National Human Rights Commission had said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    PM in flight mode ...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonso Rodrigues, Udupi

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    Unfortunately, Rahul, The Prime Minister of the newly declared nation Ullala has become irrelevant. No one takes him seriously now. In order to be relevant he should stop Modi bashing and undertake actions that benefit the people.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed, Bajpe/Riaydh

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    I had thought that Rahul had gone on a foreign tour after his splendid performance in the recent elections.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • JK, Udupi

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    People disrespected pappu in last UP election too.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    All these are trivial issues for our PM and they do not bring in cash. There are more important and pressing issues for our PM like beef ban, slaughter houses, Singing Vande Matarum, standing while national anthem is sung in theatres, CBI and IT raids only on opposition party members etc etc. these are all development by this corrupt party. If you see any people friendly development it is initiated by congress and opposed by BJP and now implementing them and stealing credit. All fake promises and hollow Bhashans.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    Swamy, Mangalore

    Can you give the proof that the things which you pointed out was done by the PM... If you have proof go to supreme court and let court take action...

    TN should stop distributing free laptop, amma canteen and other things and they need to use that money to the welfare of farmers... TN should come up with desalination plants across its east coast to have additional water for farming... TN should come up with rain water harvesting.. TN should urge farmers to take crop insurance... TN should ensure farmers get loans at the lowest interest rates...

    State government should start doing these things first before even contacting center

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Anirudh P, Bengaluru

    Fri, Mar 31 2017

    Hahaha

    Pappu is back with new drama....

    DisAgree [10] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse


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