Congress stages sit-in protest over farmers' compensation in MP

Bhopal, March 24: Dissatisfied with Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's reply on providing relief to recent rain and hail hit farmers, Congress members staged an indefinite sit-in today in the well of the house demanding adequate compensation, even after the Speaker adjourned the assembly sine die.

Leader of the Opposition Satydev Katare announced on the floor of the House that the Congress would stage an indefinite protest in the well of the house on the issue.

Soon after the Chief Minister completed his reply on the motion moved under Rule 130 for general debate on the issue of rain and hailstorm hit farmers, Katare asked him that what steps were taken to provide immediate relief to farmers.

However, the Speaker stood for the national anthem and adjourned the house sine die soon after. Dissatisfied with Chouhan's reply, Congress members led by Katare staged an indefinite sit-in protest in the well of the house.

Farmers suffered damage in many districts due to unseasonal rain

The Congress demanded payment of compensation to farmers in districts where crops suffered damages in earlier rains (not the current spell) within a fortnight, Rs 150 per quintal bonus for wheat, waiving of electricity bills of farmers for single-point connection and water pumps as well as suspending recovery of loans, among others.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra and Transport Minister, Bhupendra Singh went inside the house again to persuade Congress members to give up their protest.

Mishra and Singh said that they had positive talks with them and are hopeful that the impasse would end soon. Earlier, the house passed a supplementary budget with a voice vote after the day-long discussion.

PTI