Team News Riveting
Raipur, September 2
Member of Parliament and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the party fulfilled the promises it had made in Chhattisgarh before the assembly elections in 2018.
“What we promised in Chhattisgarh has been realized; the farmers are getting better prices for the yield, the electricity bill has been halved and farm loans have been waived off,” Gandhi said while addressing Rajiv Yuva Mitan Sammelan organised here on Saturday. Congress General Secretary and In-charge of party affairs in Chhattisgarh Kumari Selja, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo, cabinet ministers and senior leaders were present at the function organised in Nava Raipur.
Gandhi said Chhattisgarh had been paying highest price to the farmers for the paddy and once could verify it by comparing with the other states. “We clearly showed that there is money and we fulfilled the promise to the farmers,” Gandhi said, adding that they keep the promises wherever they go.
The Congress leaders called upon the youths to come forward as they have a big responsibility to lead the state. “They have to go ahead and that is why we have created Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club for you,” he said. Each club is getting one lakh rupees and three lakh youths have been added to the club. “We want to open the doors of politics for you. In a few years, MLAs and Pradhans should be elected from among you,” Gandhi said.
Talking about the PESA, he said the law was enacted for tribal brothers and protected their land. “Tribal are the first owner of the land. It means you have rights on your land, forest and water. We are Indians first. We all have to connect with each other and live with love and respect,” Gandhi said. He said the message of harmony and love was delivered during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Appreciating the efforts of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in starting the one district, one product programme, Gandhi said he had discussed it when youths invited attention towards unemployment during interaction. “I told the Chief Minister that there were different skills in Chhattisgarh. In every district you make something different,” he said. Small entrepreneurs are not able to get bank linkage and he told the Chief Minister that his focus should be on these.
“It should be marketed; I am happy that Baghel ji has started work on it. This will provide employment to lakhs of youths,” the former Congress President said. Gandhi suggested that given its central location, necessary infrastructure should be built to develop Chhattisgarh as the logistic center of the country. I think the government of Chhattisgarh has done a very good job, he added.
Asserting that the country cannot move forward with hatred and violence, the Congress leader said the economy of the country does not grow by violence. “When everyone is brought together, the country unites,” he added.
Gandhi later handed over token appointment letters to newly recruited teachers and also felicitated five clubs.
