Cong MLAs call off protest; to reach out to farmers

Failing to get an assurance from the Madhya Pradesh government on their demand for relief to rain and hailstorm-hit farmers, Congress MLAs formally called off their agitation today evening going on at the well of the state Legislative Assembly.
The legislators pledged that they will now reach out to villages to mount pressure on the government and ensure that farmers hit by the recent rains and hailstorm get due compensation under the second phase of their protest.
The Congress MLAs apparently called off their sit-in protest after the MLAs -- Umang Singhar and Madhu Bhagat, who were on an indefinite hunger strike taken ill and were hospitalised today.

AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh offered lemon juice to leader of opposition Satyadev Katare and MLAs to break their indefinite hunger strike, they had started from yesterday to intensify the agitation.
"The BJP government was insensitive to the problems of the farmers. Now, our MLAs will head for villages to ensure that the farmers get compensation for their damaged crop," Singh, told reporters at the main gate of the Assembly.
He alleged that rampant corruption was plaguing the survey going on to access the damage to the crops.

The lower rank officials of the revenue department, patwaris are asking for commission from farmers to survey their damage crops, he alleged.

Singh further said the state government has turned "worthless and autocratic" and that his party MLAs will awaken it to ensure that farmers get relief and compensation.
On being asked that out of more than 55 Congress MLAs, only 30 participated in the protest, he said they didn't take part as they were 'too religious' and are observing Navratri fast.
The former state CM said that the protest was not called off following the notice served to MLAs to vacate the assembly premises by the assembly security officials.
Congress MLAs had trooped into the well of the House and squatted minutes after the one-day session of assembly to pass second supplementary budget for the current fiscal was adjourned sine die on March 24.

The Congress MLAs' demands included compensation for rain and hailstorm-hit farmers within a fortnight, waiving off their electricity dues and suspension of recovery of loans from them, Rs 150 per quintal bonus for wheat.