Rahul Gandhi in Aligarh addresses mega Congress Rally

Congress Vice President and Member of Parliament from Amethi Rahul Gandhi addressed a mammoth Congress rally in Aligarh. He slammed the opposition for its anti-people ideology and attitude.

Rahul Gandhi inaugurates National Awareness Camp Scheduled Cast Empowerment at Delhi

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday inaugurated National Awareness Camp Scheduled Cast Empowerment at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The two-day camp has been organised by National Commission of Scheduled Caste headed by Congress MP P.L. Punia. Dalit thinkers and intellectuals from across the country took part in debates and discussions.

Rahul Gandhi speaks after laying foundation stone of mega food park in Amethi (UP)

Congress vice-president, Rahul Gandhi on Monday laid the foundation stone of Shaktiman food processing plant - the first mega food park in Uttar Pradesh in Jagdishpur of Amethi district. The mega food plant would directly benefit more than 40,000 local farmers. It is estimated that the park would earn revenue of Rs 450 crore every year. It would be a lucrative job opportunity for all the local residents of Jagdishpur and nearby areas. Shaktiman Mega Food Park will offer essential services like dry warehousing, cold storage, a farmer friendly bank and fully equipped education and business centres. Furthermore, the ancillarisation process will lead to the creation of an additional 25,000 employment opportunities. Farmers, food processors and the local economy will benefit most from this initiative. Dr Charan Das Mahant, Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing and Kumar Mangalam Birla also attended the foundation ceremony.

Rahul Gandhi in Amethi speaks after laying foundation stone of Mega food park in Jagdishpur

Congress vice-president, Rahul Gandhi on Monday laid the foundation stone of Shaktiman food processing plant - the first mega food park in Uttar Pradesh - in Jagdishpur of Amethi district. This park would have 35 processing units and would employ around 25000 people of the state. The mega food park would be developed by Aditya Birla Group through Indo-Gulf fertilizer, one of its business arms. The plant would be constructed on about 72 acres of land. This land is planned to be developed on housing, educational and commercial standards. Dr Charan Das Mahant, Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing and Kumar Mangalam Birla also attended the foundation ceremony.

Rahul Gandhi lays the foundation stone of a mega food park project in Amethi's Jagdishpur (UP)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi lays the the foundation stone for a mega food park project in Amethi's Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Rahul Gandhi rejects the government's ordinance on convicted MPs and MLAs

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday, while attending a brief Press Conference at New Delhi’s Press Club, termed the ordinance to negate the Supreme Court verdict on convicted lawmakers as nonsense and said it should be torn up and thrown away.

“My opinion on the ordinance is that it is a complete nonsense. It should up torn up and thrown out. This is my personal opinion on the ordinance” said the Congress Vice President who is also the Member of Parliament from Amethi. 
"I personally think what the government is doing on the ordinance is wrong. It was a political decision, every party does it, and there is a time to stop this nonsense," Rahul Gandhi said. "It is about time that political parties mind and stop making these type of compromises. If we actually want to stop corruption then we cannot make these compromises."

“The arguments that have been made and I have heard the arguments.. the argument that has been made is that we need to do it internally because of political considerations. Everybody does this.. and there is a time to stop this nonsense” he added.

“I really feel that about time that the political parties, mine and all others, stop making these types of compromises because if we want to fight corruption in this country, whether it is us – the Congress party or the BJP, we cannot continue making these small compromises. When we make these small compromises, we compromise everything. That is my opposition on the Ordinance” underlined Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress vice president did not mince his words to express his strong opinion on the ordinance at the press conference with party MP Ajay Maken. After his remarks, Mr Maken said, "Rahul Gandhi has clarified the party's line. The party's view is supreme."

The ordinance overturns a Supreme Court disqualifying convicted MPs and MLAs, and allows them to stay on without a salary or voting rights, if a court stays their conviction.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit Rajesh Verma's residence in Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. They also visited journalist Rajesh Verma's home to meet the family members. Rajesh was killed in the riots.

PM Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi visit riot-hit Muzaffarnagar in UP

Muzaffarnagar: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi visited riot-affected localities in Muzaffarnagar district on Monday. They visited some relief camps where riot-hit people are taking shelter. They were briefed about the situation in the district by the officers in-charge. They also visited the relief camps in Bassi Tala and Taawlil villages. The leaders interacted with the riot-victims in the area.

Rahul Gandhi kicks-off Congress campaign in Rajasthan from Udaipur; attacks opposition -- Part 02

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicked off the election campaign of Congress in party in Rajasthan by addressing a mammoth adivasi-kisan rally, in tribal-dominated Salumbar assembly constituency of Udaipur division on Wednesday. Striking an emotional chord with the huge gathering at the rally, Rahul Gandhi said "We believe that the country's progress is possible only if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits; only if the people who build these bridges and roads, are empowered. What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties" and the crowd acknowledged it with huge cheers.

Rahul Gandhi kicks-off Congress campaign in Rajasthan from Udaipur; attacks opposition -- Part 01

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicked off the election campaign of Congress in party in Rajasthan by addressing a mammoth adivasi-kisan rally, in tribal-dominated Salumbar assembly constituency of Udaipur division on Wednesday. Striking an emotional chord with the huge gathering at the rally, Rahul Gandhi said “We believe that the country’s progress is possible only if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits; only if the people who build these bridges and roads, are empowered. What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties” and the crowd acknowledged it with huge cheers.

Rahul Gandhi to lay foundation stone of irrigation project in Rajasthan on Sep 11

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of an irrigation project in Baran in Rajasthan and address a public meeting in Udaipur.

"Preparations have been completed for the visit. Rahul will address a meeting in the tribal area of Salumbar on September 11 and lay foundation stone of the irrigation project on September 17," PCC chief Dr Chandrabhan said on Friday.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi also would also address a rally in the city next month, he informed. He also slammed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and said in Jaipur, "BJP has put its stake on Narendar Modi, but now he is backing out. He has realised he cannot become the Prime Minister, particularly after the statement of IPS officer Vanzara."

Rahul Gandhi to address Congress rally in Delhi on Sep 10

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will hand over ownership rights of houses to people in resettlement colonies in Delhi on September 10.  This was informed by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday.

"We have so many resettlement colonies and people have been living in them since the time of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. But they have not been given ownership rights. Rahul Gandhi will give out certificates of ownership to lakhs of people on September 10," Dikshit said.

There are 45 resettlement colonies in the city, which are home to lakhs of people. Congress feels that the move could be a game-changer in the Assembly polls. Dikshit made the announcement at a function where the party released a brochure listing the Congress government's achievements in the last 15 years.

Last year, Dikshit had Congress president Sonia Gandhi issue provisional certificates of regularisation to unauthorised colonies. The CM also promised to regularise another 600 unauthorised colonies and said residents in Lal Dora areas would be allowed to expand their properties. "People have been living there for years and their families must have grown, so they need more space.
That is why we are allowing the extension... We are the first one to implement the Food Security Bill and it is Delhi that is governed by Aadhaar cards," she said.

I am happy, says Rahul Gandhi on the passage of Land Acquisition bill in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the landmark Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to provide just and fair compensation to farmers while ensuring that no land can be acquired forcibly, with overwhelming majority. The bill is definitely is the brain-child of Congress Vice President and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi.

"I am happy that Land Acquisition Bill has been passed", said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after the passage of the path-breaking Bill. Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, though she is under rest after a hospital check-up,  also attended the proceedings for a brief period.
"The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012" stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private companies.

The Bill, which will replace over a century-old law, proposes compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas.

The Bill was passed with 216 votes in favour and 19 against. Left parties, AIADMK and BJD members staged a walkout. Trinamool Congress voted against the Bill while main Opposition BJP as also SP and BSP supported the legislation.
Following are the highlights of the Land Acquisition Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday:

-Payment of compensations that is up to 4 times the market value in rural areas and 2 times the market value in urban areas.

- To address historical injustice the Bill applies retrospectively to cases where no land acquisition award has been made.

- No law can be acquired in Scheduled Areas without the consent of the Gram Sabhas.

- No one shall be dispossessed until and unless all payments are made and alternative sites for the resettlement and rehabilitation have been prepared.
- Compensation to those who are dependent on the land being acquired for their livelihood.

- In cases where PPP projects are involved or acquisition is taking place for private companies, the Bill requires the consent of no less than 70 per cent and 80 per cent respectively (in both cases) of those whose land is sought to be acquired.

- To safeguard food security and to prevent arbitrary acquisition, the Bill directs States to impose limits on the area under agricultural cultivation that can be acquired.

- In case land remains unutilised after acquisition, the new Bill empowers states to return the land either to the owner or to the State Land Bank.
- No income tax shall be levied and no stamp duty shall be charged on any amount that accrues to an individual as a result of the provisions of the new law.
- Where acquired land is sold to a third party for a higher price than 40 per cent of the appreciated land value (or profit) will be shared with the original owners.

- In every project those losing land and belonging to the SC or ST will be provided land equivalent to land acquired or two and a one-half acres, whichever is lower (this is higher than in the case of non-SC/ST affected families)
- Where the affected families belonging to the SC and the ST are relocated outside of the district then they shall be paid an additional 25 rehabilitation and resettlement benefits to which they are entitled in monetary terms along with a one-time entitlement of fifty thousand rupees.

381 amendments were moved to the Bill, of which 166 were official ones. Of the Opposition amendments, some were withdrawn and others defeated during voting.
The government accepted some opposition amendments, including two moved by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. These included that instead of acquisition, land could be leased to developers so that its ownership remains with farmers and provide them regular annual income.

Asserting that the new law will address "historical injustice", the Government said this law is being enacted under the Concurrent list and the states can bring their own law on the subject without derogating from the central law. The Bill will replace the archaic Act of 1894 which suffers from various shortcomings including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by the acquisition of land.

Rahul Gandhi stresses for Dalit empowerment

New Delhi: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, while speaking at the ' National Dialogue on Social Disparity ' organised by the National Commission for Women Scheduled Castes at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Tuesday emphasized that there is a need to encourage the weaker sections and Dalits. He asserted that there was a need to lift the weaker sections of the people from the grass root up the hierarchy. "I want Dalits to once again feel that they are the backbone of Congress Party," said Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress President said further "We need to provide weaker sections and Dalits with better educational opportunities and there is also a need to change the education system". Rahul Gandhi said he had been able to make the assessment after visiting the states in the country and witnessing the elections during the last eight to nine years he has been in the politics of the country.

"When we have the elections for the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha, how many people take decisions? How many people decide as to who will contest the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls, who will become the Prime Minister? " asked Rahul Gandhi and also pointed out that only 500 people take a final call on who would be the candidates for the polls and who would be the person leading the country.
In the Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi said, around a hundred people were involved in taking a final call on the selection of candidates to contest the elections and around 70 to 80 people were involved in taking a final decision in the BJP. In the Samajwadi Party, the decision was taken by three persons, and the BJD two people. In the BSP, the privilege of taking the decision was that of only one person. In the ultimate analysis, only 500 people took the decision.

"I want to tell you that till the time these 500 people continue to take decisions about the country's politics, the voices of the Dalits will not reach the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha," he added. Rahul Gandhi further recalled that it was his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who helped spread telecommunications across the country by installing a PCO in every village. "Earlier, only the MPs and MLAs had the right to communications. And that is exactly what is happening in the country's political system at present," said the Congress Vice President.