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Farmers exploited in U.P.: Congress

Special Correspondent

Congress to launch agitation in State

“Lands acquired for various projects at throwaway prices”
PCC chief: law and order situation deteriorating

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday said that it would launch a massive agitation in Uttar Pradesh to expose the exploitation of farmers in the State whose land had been acquired for various projects, including numerous housing projects, at throwaway rates. Law and order had deteriorated and Dalits and women were suffering in the State, UP PCC president Rita Bahuguna alleged, while releasing a list of 21 State Ministers who, she said, had a “criminal background.”

Addressing a press conference here, Ms. Bahuguna said farmers were being deprived of their only means of livelihood, their land, and were displaced from their homes. “Land was being transferred to builders and developers at huge profits while farmers were paid a pittance and were suffering, be it from Housing Boards, Noida Authority, Greater Noida Authority, Taj Expressway, Ganga Express Highway Authority and the latest in the National Capital Region for other proposed roads.”

Demanding a Haryana-type package for displaced farmers, she said land should be acquired if absolutely necessary and under no circumstances fertile agriculture land should be acquired.

She alleged while Chief Minister Mayawati had declared soon after taking charge that she would improve law and order and end “goonda and mafia raj,” crime was on the rise.

According to Ms. Bahuguna, the Chairman of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had stated that U.P. topped the list of atrocities on Dalits and the National Commission of Women records showed that 50 per cent of all complaints regarding crime against women were received from the State.

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