Rahul Gandhi's 'Rann-in' with agariyas

KHARAGHODA: During an impromptu visit to the Little Rann of Kutch, to see the living conditions of saltpan workers, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi spent around 80 minutes interacting with them here on Tuesday. The event was touted as a 'chaupal' but was closed to the media. The young Gandhi could only listen to complaints of salt workers (agariyas) during the visit.

The most common complaint Rahul Gandhi heard was non-renewal of leases on the land they worked on. "We have no roof over our heads nor earth under our feet to call our own," Babubhai Deghami told the Congress leader.

"The land of the saltpans has become part of the Wild Ass Sanctuary and we face harassment by foresters and the collector's office," a worker complained. Another said: "Not having the lease in our names means that we cannot get loans or take full benefit of government schemes."

Anil, a class 7 student, got up to tell Rahul how the children had to either live away from their parents and take care of themselves or give up studies.

For his part, Rahul mainly spoke about the laws enacted by the central government for inclusive development. He told them about the food security act, right to education, RTI, land acquisition and tribal rights laws.

The Congress leader asked them if they had got work under the MNREGA scheme. The workers said that they had got some work two years ago but were never paid for it.

Attacking the state government, Rahul said, "I have heard that the government sent drinking water tankers yesterday. If we cannot provide water to all even after over 60 years of Independence, then there is definitely something wrong with the system."