Sonia Gandhi to tour farming areas affected by unseasonal rain in Rajasthan

Gandhi is expected to visit parts of Kota district where farmers have reported rampant losses to the Rabi crop. (Source: Express Archive)

Congress president Sonia Gandhi will up the ante on the Vasundhara Raje government as she will take a day-long tour on Friday of the worst affected farming areas by unseasonal rain and hailstorm. Gandhi will reach out to farmers and take stock of the damage caused to crops, life and property.

Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot had earlier asked district units of the party to make an assessment of the losses incurred to farmers and approach district collectors with the data. In previous years, the former Ashok Gehlot government would receive flak from the then BJP opposition after similar loss of crops due to unseasonal rains and hailstorm but the tables now stand turned.

Gandhi is expected to visit parts of Kota district where farmers have reported rampant losses to the Rabi crop that was almost ready for reaping and then hold a meeting in the state capital on the future course of action by the party. “The Congress president has always been with the people of Rajasthan in times of crisis, be it the floods in Barmer or the losses to farmers now. Her presence will give the farmers as well as the party workers great strength to battle this crisis,” Pilot said.

Meanwhile the state government declared further austerity measures to be observed following the losses incurred due to the natural calamity. The seven-day celebrations marking Rajasthan Diwas have been shelved and only a low-key celebration will be held on March 30.

Source:: Indian Express