Rahul Gandhi to tour Chhattisgarh villages from 14 June

RAIPUR: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day tour of Chhattisgarh from June 14, during which he will visit a number of places in the northern parts of the state to meet farmers affected by coal mining and power plant projects, party announced here today.

"Preparation is underway for All India Congress Committee ( AICC) Vice President Rahul Gandhi's visit on June 14 and June 15," Chhattisgarh Congress Chief Bhupesh Baghel told reporters here.

On Rahul's first day of visit, he is scheduled to meet a large number of farmers and tribals at Kudmura village in Korba district, who have been facing hardship for several years due to the elephant menace, Baghel said.

Subsequently, he is scheduled to meet forest dwellers bearing the brunt of coal mining in the Lemru forest region, Baghel said.

The next day, he is scheduled to participate in a foot march along with a large number of farmers, party leaders and workers from Saradih village to Gabra village in the Janjgir -Champa district, covering a distance of around 12 km, Baghel said.

The government has signed MoUs to establish around 45 power plants in the predominantly agricultural district of Janjgir-Champa, he said.

The Chhattisgarh state government has been constructing seven barrages on the Mahanadi river there to supply water to these projects, and the barrage at Saradih village is among these, he said.

If these projects draws water from the Mahanadi river, there will be no water for farmers as well as people dependent on water bodies for their needs, he said.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to address a public meeting at Gabra village before concluding his tour, he said.