Rahul Gandhi to lead a 'Save Farmer March' in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will lead a 'Save Farmer March' in Bargarh district during his two-day visit to Odisha to highlight alleged failure of both the Centre and BJD regime in the state in mitigating the plight of peasants.

"Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to embark upon a two-day visit to Odisha on September 10 during which he will lead a Chasi Banchao Padyatra in Bargarh district which is witnessing suicide by farmers," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Prasad Harichandan told reporters here today.

In view of drought like situation, mainly in western Odisha where farmers are committing suicide due to crop loss and debt burden, the 'Save Farmer March' is being held to emphasise the urgent need to save the distressed peasants, Harichandan said.

The padyatra would also highlight the failure of the BJD government in the state and BJP-led NDA rule at the Centre in bringing relief to the farmers, PCC Chief said.

Other programmes for the AICC Vice-President are being worked out, he said.

Hitting out at Naveen Patnaik government, Harichandan accused the BJD regime of failing to respond properly to the drought situation faced by the state and to mitigate the plight of the farmers who are hit hard by scanty rainfall.

No timely step was also taken to ensure that the farmers who are facing crop loss are covered by insurance, he said.