Lucknow, Feb 05: Rashtriya Lok Dal, a partner in the ruling coalition in Uttar Pradesh, today said its proposed protest dharnas against nonpayment of cane price to farmers at the rate announced by the government, should not be regarded as a move against the Mayawati government. "RLD is committed to fight for the cause of farmers. We have always stood for their cause," its chief and union agriculture minister Ajit Singh told reporters here.
He said the protest dharna programme slated for February 15 at all district headquarters in the eastern parts of the state should not be taken as a move against the government in which RLD is a partner.
"The farmers are aware that RLD is one party which has been working relentlessly in their interests both at the Centre and state," Singh said.
On invocation of POTA against jailed independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya, Singh said it was enacted to deal with terrorists and should be invoked sparingly. "As for its invocation against the legislator, chief minister Mayawati has said she has solid proof against Raja Bhaiyya and Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley is looking into them," he said.
He said to ensure good remunerative prices for the bumper potato crop, Nafed would start its purchase from February 20 .The state government has also decided to give subsidy on transport, he added. Bureau Report