Cong walks the talk,‘cheque-mates’ govt

The Congress’ housing scheme for homeless women has already put the Narendra Modi government on the backfoot by forcing it to announce the revival of Gujarat Housing Board that has remained defunct for over a decade.

By reaching out to the farmers’ families ahead of Assembly elections,the Congress has put further pressure on the state government.

Bhavna Sakaria,widow of Vikram Sakaria (38),while accepting a cheque from the Congress leaders at her sprawling home in Raiya village located on the outskirts of Rajkot city,said,“He committed suicide due to crop failure. No BJP leader or state government official has even visited here to take stock of the situation. We have been given this cheque by the Congress.”

The affair at Raiya village was was over within 15 minutes. Then the three leaders left for Ratiya village in Lodhika taluka followed by Patanvav village in Dhoraji taluka.

So far,12 farmers in Saurashtra,the worst affected area,have committed suicide allegedly due to crop failure.

“The government has gone completely insensitive. The Congress governments have handled couple of droughts and never in history of Gujarat farmers had to commit suicide. During scarcity period,when farmers committing suicide,the government still busy in functions and celebrations,” Vaghela said. Modhwadia said,“The state government should immediately implement relief work and packages as per scarcity manual.”

Gohil said the Congress has been demanding Rs 10 lakh compensation for affected families and government job for at least one family member.

Besides,the Opposition leaders demanded that fodder depot should be opened at every 5 km,there should be relief work site at every 3 km. “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme is an employment scheme and not a relief and the villagers should get employments for as much days as he or she wants instead of defined 100 days under the scheme,” said Gohil.

The Congress leaders said the party has only tried to lend some support to affected farmers but the government can rescue them.

“In last 10 years,not a single new dam has been made in Saurashtra. Besides,Narmada dam has been overflowing,but due to lack of canal infrastructure,farmers still depend on nature for irrigation which is government’s failure,” Gohil said.