Will waive farm loans in 10 days if voted to power in MP: Rahul
Mandsaur, June 6: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday kicked-off the party's poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of betraying the farmers and promising to waive farm loans in 10 days if voted to power.
Rahul Gandhi also promised that the families of the farmers who were killed in Mandsaur will get justice in 10 days if his party was voted to power.
While addressing a rally, Rahul Gandhi questioned the delay in filing of a probe report into the death of seven farmers in police firing a year ago, alleging that the BJP government had failed to provide security to farmers and address their concerns.
"I assure you, when the Congress forms government in Madhya Pradesh, farmers' loans will be written off within 10 days. The families of the farmers (killed in Mandsaur last year) will get justice in 10 days and we will take action against those responsible for the firing," the Congress President said.
Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the state and the Centre for ignoring the farm distress across the country.
"The governments are of no use if they cannot provide security to farmers and their families. A total of 1,200 farmers committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh. Did any rich person or their family member commit suicide who have lakhs of crores as debt," he said, addressing the Kisan Samriddhi Sankalp Rally.
"Our priority will be to provide security to the farmers and their families," he added.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi paid tributes to the dead farmers in Piplia Mandi town of Mandsaur district.
"The Prime Minister and Chief Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) talk about the farmers but when they demand the right price for their produce and ask for waiving off their loans, they do not listen.
"Prime Minister waived off loans worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore of just 15 businessmen, but when I requested him to waive off farm loans, he maintained a studied silence," said Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi also said the food we eat is all due to the efforts of our farmers and their families and not rich businessmen. "That is why farmers are our priority," he added.
"My priority is the people of this country, then it is the Congress karyakartas and third is the Congress leaders.
"My dream is that when we come here after 5-7 years and look at our phones, we find 'Made in Mandsaur' written on it. Narendra Modi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan won't be able to do this work. Kamal Nath and Scindia (Jyotiraditya Scindia) can do this," the Congress President said.
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Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia dies at 80
New Delhi (PTI): Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia has died after a prolonged illness. He was 80.
Ruia, who co-founded metals-to-technology conglomerate Essar with his brother Ravi, died in Mumbai around 23.55 hrs on November 25, family sources said.
He had returned from the US, where he was undergoing treatment, about a month back.
His mortal remains will be kept at Ruia House from 1 pm to 3 pm on Tuesday. The funeral procession will leave from Ruia House at 4 pm towards the Hindu Worli Crematorium.
Shashi, a first-generation entrepreneur industrialist, started his career in 1965 under the guidance of his father Nand Kishore Ruia.
He, along with his brother Ravi, laid the foundation of Essar in 1969 by constructing an outer breakwater at Chennai Port. The group expanded into various sectors, including steel, oil refining, exploration and production, telecom, power, and construction.
He is survived by his wife Manju and two sons Prashant and Anshuman.
