Rahul targets PM in Lok Sabha over farmers' issue

Takes a swipe at PM's 'Make in India' initiative

Back from a tour of Punjab mandis, Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the plight of farmers, triggering an uproar in Lok Sabha.

The Congress Vice President accused the government of not procuring the the produce of farmers, a charge that was flatly rejected by Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Gandhi said he wanted to apprise the House of the pain and problems of the Punjab farmers whose produce is lying in Mandis and is not being procured by the government.

Targeting the Prime Minister, he said he is on tours and should also visit Punjab so that he understands the plight of farmers.

Amid protests from BJP benches, Gandhi also took a swipe at the Prime Minister's 'Make in India' initiative, questioning whether farmers are not contributing to 'Make in India' by providing food to the entire country.

"When there was hailstorm, the government did not help. State governmments used to give bonus, farmers tolerated its non-payment. Farmers were lathicharged when they asked for fertiliser. Now their produce is not being lifted from mandis", said Gandhi who visited mandis in Punjab yesterday.

"While farmers in the mandis are crying, the Haryana Agriculture Minister is saying farmers committing suicide are cowards", he said amid cries of "shame, shame" from the opposition.

Paswan rejected all charges, insisting that the government under the leadership of Modi had taken several decisions for the welfare of farmers which had not happened in the past 10 years of the UPA.

Contending that the Prime Minister is not only concerned about the welfare of farmers, Paswan said he has proactively taken several steps to help the farmers hit hard by unseasonal rains and hailstorm.

There was uproar over the issue, leading to adjournment of the House for 10 minutes.