Congress committed to safeguarding farmers' interest: PM

Jalandhar, Feb 5 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured the farmer community of Punjab that ruling Congress was committed to upholding and safeguarding their interest.

Addressing an election rally in favour of ruling Congress nominees for the February 13 assembly elections, Dr Singh noted that farmers constituted 70 per cent of the total population and unless their lot improved, no society or nation could march on the path of progress.

''It was only the Congress which made efforts for the farmers' cause,'' he asserted.

He said that his party was committed for the cause of farmers and it was matter of satisfaction for him that the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab had taken proper care of the interests of farmers during its five-year rule.

The Prime Minister said that the works initiated by Capt Singh's Government delivered good results for the progress in agriculture sector but much more was still needed and his party was committed to accomplish the task.

He said that his government at the Centre had also been taking all necessary care of the farmers.

UNI