M A I N   N E W S

Punjab, Haryana farmers key to food security
scheme: Rahul
Lavishes praise on Prime Minister, says Manmohan is his political guru
Amarjit Thind & Sushil Goyal/TNS

Ghabdan Kothi (Sangrur), October 10
Appreciating farmers of Punjab and Haryana for their contribution to the national grain pool, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said the food security scheme for the poor would not have been possible without their hard work.

He said his party had been able to enact the Food Security Act only because of the contribution of farmers of the two states, but that could change because of rampant drug abuse among the youth.

“If we do not stem the drug menace, the day is not far when there would be no able-bodied youngsters to work on the farms. A large percentage of youth are already hooked to intoxicants, which is taking a toll on both rural and urban families,” he said.

He said the UPA government had empowered the common people of the country through its programmes such as Right to Information, Food Security Bill, Right To Education and the rural employment guarantee scheme. “We do not believe in hollow slogans like the Opposition parties,” he said.

Rahul also lavished praise on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his erudition and said the country was in good hands. Calling him his "political guru" and lauding his contribution, Rahul said, “I have two gurus in politics. The Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) and Manmohan Singh. Punjab has given one of these gurus.”