BJP leaders have siphoned money of the NERAGA scheme

Bhuj: People poured in complaints of hardship and rampant corruption in government administration at a public meeting Congress party had organized in Kutch district. People said that Gujarat government which was vibrant for industrialists was giving cold shoulder to the issues of common men.

Addressing a mammoth rally at Bhuj Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia said that Chief Minister was freely giving away freebies to Adani group while he had no time for ordinary farmers. He said that land to Adani for Mundra port, land for Archean company were glaring examples of giving precious land to industrialists at a throw away price.

Referring to the claims of Gujarat government that the state has surplus electricity and it is selling it to other states, Modhwadia said that it is the irony of the situation that lakhs of farmers were not given electricity on the pretext of dark zone. However, he said, industrialists are given electricity in dark zone. Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Shaktisinh Gohil said that farmer of Kutch Jabbardan Gadhvi had to commit suicide for his land while the government has given 2800 hectare of reserved forest land to Adani on a platter. It is an insult of people of Kutch, he said. The God is very kind to people of Kutch after the 2001 quake as there is no scarcity here after the quake. Government should have helped farmers of Kutch in the changed situation, but chief minister is kind to some industrialists only. Giving other examples, he said that one lakh acre of Banni grassland has been given to Archean Company, a company associated with a senior BJP leader. Gohil described the concept of development of Gujarat government as the concept of development of Rawan in Lanka. Few close to Rawan had privilege of having their houses of gold while most of common people lived life of misery. He said struggling farmers like Jabbardan Gadhvi had to commit suicide sheer out of frustration. Government is not able to provide Narmada waters to people of Kutch timely, he pointed out. Senior Congress leader Kadir Pirzada said that the new Kutch was the creation of industrious people of Kutch and they should enjoy the fruits of their labour. But the government was helping industrialists mint money, he said. BJP leaders have siphoned money of the NERAGA scheme.

MLA Babubhai Meghji Shah, District Congress President V. K. Humbal and former MP Ushaben Thakkar were among the prominent leaders who attended the meeting which saw thousands turn up with their grievances.