Congress plenary: Party sub-group on agriculture holds first meet

A sub-group formed by the Congress to draft its resolution on agriculture and other issues ahead of its plenary session met for the first time here today under the chairmanship of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, sources said.
During the meeting, held at Hoodas residence, preliminary documents on agriculture, employment and poverty alleviation were shared with its eight other members, whose suggestions were also sought on the same, the sources added.
Meetings are proposed to be held with experts and farmers bodies on the issues concerned. Their suggestions relating to farmers welfare will be considered in the draft resolution.

After incorporating these suggestions, a draft of the resolution will be discussed with former prime minister Manmohan Singh before it is finalised, one of the sources quoted Hooda as saying.
Apart from Hooda, former Union minister K V Thomas, Rajya Sabha member P L Punia, Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, former Maharashtra minister Balasaheb Thorat attended the meeting.
The sub-group will meet next on February 9 in the national capital, the sources said.
The Congresss plenary session will be held between March 16 and March 18.