Defending party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s decision to reach out to farmers, the Congress claimed on Wednesday that it has been raising various issues concerned with agriculture such as non-procurement of food grains at the minimum support price.

Countering the allegations of the ruling NDA that Rahul’s “love for farmers” is a sudden development, the party said he had met farmers and assured them that he “would become their voice”.

“Non-payment of compensation to farmers for 200 lakh hectares of damaged crop area in 14 States, with estimated crop loss of ₹45,000 crore; non-relaxation of very rigid norms of procurement, wherein more than 14 per cent moisture content wheat was being rejected, and more than 6 per cent blackened grain was facing a cut of ₹3.63 per quintal” were some of the issued addressed, said Congress spokesperson Rajeev Gowda.

He said the party’s kisan rally too was a success.

“To continue the fight for the redressal of farmers Rahul Gandhi will be undertaking a padyatra. He will be travelling to Amaravati district in Vidarbha on Thursday. He will be meeting the families of farmers in distress to better understand their difficulties,” Gowda added.

Determined fight He said the party is satisfied with Rahul’s “determined fight” and that it has brought two major victories to the farming community today.

“Firstly, Punjab Chief Minister Badal has announced payment of all dues of farmers within 48 hours. Secondly, the Union Cabinet decided to relax the procurement norms with regard to moisture content beyond 14 per cent,” Gowda claimed.

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