RaGa sings farmer tune

JEYPORE (KORAPUT): Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday did not utter a word against the state government. Neither did he point fingers at the Centre.
Keeping his visit to Jeypore in Koraput district apolitical, the Nehru-Gandhi scion tried to strike an emotional chord with farmers at the time of their distress.
The Congress leader promised all support to the Hudhud-affected farmers from the party."Our MLAs will raise the issue in assembly. I will personally raise your problem in the coming session of Lok Sabha to ensure that you are adequately compensated. Whatever is possible will be done by our party," said Rahul.
Farmers, who lost crops, aired their grievances to the AICC vice-president. Tripati Bisoi of Kusumi village urged him to ensure that the affected farmers get insurance money.
"We have insured our crops, but we are unable to get the benefit as the state government has assessed the damage at 50% though the actual damage is more than that," Bisoi said.
"To be eligible to get the insurance money the loss percentage should be more than 55," Bisoi added.
The Amethi MP, who flew to the meeting venue from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh at 11.45am after making an aerial survey of affected Mudulipada in Malkangiri district, mingled with farmers. He patiently listened to their problems for 40 minutes.
"If the state government doesn't announce any special package for the farmers of the district, we will gherao the assembly," said Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
From Jeypore, Rahul went to Burja in Laxmipur block, where he visited a few damaged houses at Adivasi Sahi.