Pachauri concerned on ryots' plight

Narsinghpur, MP, June 20 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Personnel Suresh Pachauri has said the Indian farmer was grappling with several problems as a result of which their sons were unwilling to take up agriculture as a profession.

''Seventy per cent of the, country's population relies on cultivation and that is why the Centre is taking the initiative for improving their economic condition. It is being ensured that ryots do not commit suicide and receive fair prices,'' he said last evening at Kesamkheda village, 15 km from here.

The Minister is in Madhya Pradesh on a two-day visit in connection with the state Congress' 'Go to the Villages and Every Home' campaign.

''It is extremely unfortunate that people's representatives are turning away from public welfare work. The Centre is doling out adequate assistance to Madhya Pradesh. I expect the state government to properly utilise Central funds,'' he added.

Firing a broadside at the BJP, Mr Pachauri said the saffron party was plagued with confrontation and a tug-of-war besides lacking an universally-acceptable leader unlike the Congress which has Ms Sonia Gandhi at the helm.

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