New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a scathing attack on the Centre on the issue of compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the year-long protest on the borders of Delhi.
He was speaking in the Lok Sabha during the winter session of the parliament. The Congress MP criticised the Union Agriculture Minister over his statement of not having any data on the number of lives lost during the farmers' protest.
"Around 700 farmers died in farmers' agitation. PM apologised to the nation & farmers of the nation. He accepted that he made a mistake. On 30th Agriculture Minister was asked a question - how many farmers died in the agitation? He said he doesn't have any data," said Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.
He reiterated that the Congress government in Punjab has given compensation to around 400 farmers and have also provided jobs. He also claimed to have al the data related to the deaths of the farmers.
"We found out that Punjab Govt has given Rs 5 Lakh compensation for around 400 farmers; also provided jobs for 152 of them. I have the list. We have made another list of 70 farmers from Haryana. Your govt says that you don't have their names," Rahul Gandhi added.
The former Congress chief concluded by saying, "I want that the farmers be given their rights, they should be given compensation as well as jobs."