Former HVC leader accuses Congress of being anti-farmers

Shimla, Dec 17 (UNI) A former leader of the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) today accused the Congress of failing to safeguard the interests of the farmers and orchardists, saying it had instead initiate steps that were detrimental to them.

Addressing a press conference, former Shimla district president of HVC Rajpal Chauhan hailed the pro apple grower policies of the previous BJP government and extended his support to BJP's candidate Narinder Bragta from Jubbal and Kotkhai constituency.

''The Congress claims itself to be pro apple grower, but ground reality is something else. During the last season, orchardists had to bear huge losses due to hailstorm, but it did nothing to compensate the farmers,'' he alleged.

Terming the ''horticulture mission'' in the state a complete failure, he said the funds spent under it had been misutilised and demanded an inquiry into this.

He said the Congress had failed in safeguarding their interests and was just interested in getting the votes of the people of the constituency.

Referring to the High Court's decision to ban Timber Distribution rights in the state, he said the government instead of taking the issue to the Supreme Court was sitting over it.

Besides, no action had been taken against those orchardists who had encroached upon the government land, he asserted.

UNI