Rahul Gandhi in UP, interacts with rickshaw pullers in Varanasi, Part 02

Varanasi: As part of his ongoing discussions regarding the Congress Manifesto with various sections of the society, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday interacted with rickshaw pullers in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Speaking to a number of rickshaw pullers, Rahul Gandhi said that 'our intention is to build a strong base to live for the poor.' Some rickshaw pullers even demanded rickshaw stands that were present during Indira Gandhi's time. Rahul Gandhi patiently listened to the issues of the rickshaw pullers and offered all possible help to solve it. "Some leaders at present, come to you, give big speeches and vanish; I am not of that type. I am here to listen toy you, to know your issues" said Rahul Gandhi.

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.

I and my family belong to Kashmir says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public function in Jammu & Kashmir said that he and his family too belong to Kashmir. Striking an emotional chord with the people he said that he has a special bond with the state of J&K.

Rahul Gandhi in Punjab concerns over growing problems of drug addiction

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is addressing a big Congress rally at Punjab University ground. He expressed happiness for the fact when many other countries are struggling, India is surging ahead. Rahul Gandhi said that country needs more youth participation in the process of development. Rahul Gandhi also said that in Punjab 7% of the people are having problems of drug addiction.

Rahul Gandhi: We need to build a structured system to handle complexities

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while says that India is a society with a lot of complexities and we are all very good to deal with it. Personalities like Sam Pitroda also was present.

Rahul Gandhi: Indians are very good in dealing with complexities

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi says that India is a society with a lot of complexities and we are all very good to deal with it.

Rahul Gandhi--a progressive leader with modern vision

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while attending an interactive session said that India is a society with a lot of complexities and we are all very good to deal with it. Personalities like Sam Pitroda also attended it.

Rahul Gandhi gets a rousing welcome in Amethi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi received a rousing welcome when he visited Amethi, his parliament constituency. He visited Amethi for the first time after taking over as the Congress Vice President.

Congress has a young Vice President in Rahul Gandhi

The entire Congress across the country is now tremendously happy as the young leader Rahul Gandhi was appointed as Congress Vice President. Rahul Gandhi , after taking over as the Vice President of the party made a memorable speech at the Chintan Shivir at Jaipur.

Budget 2013: Chidambaram's response to Rahul Gandhi's view - Adequate focus on youth

The Union budget 2013 presented by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram is a balanced one with adequate focus on youth affairs. Newly appointed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has been stressing for the need of addressing the issues of the youth and their empowerment. This has been the priorities of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also.

Oust the Left Front Govt in Tripura: Rahul Gandhi urges the people

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged the people to oust the Left Front government in Tripura and elect a opro-people Congress government in the state. While addressing a big Congress rally in Agartala, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the 20 years misrule by the CPM led government did nothing for the development in Tripura.

Rahul Gandhi in Tripura takes on Left front Govt.

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while addressing an election rally in Tripura’s Sonamura on Monday urged the people to vote out the present Left Front government. Rahul Gandhi said, “In all other states in the country there is a government and the people. But in the Left Front-ruled Tripura, the CPM stands between the government and the common people. So, it is high time you use your valuable vote to remove the organisation standing between you and the government.”

Rahul Gandhi's address at AICC session jaipur 20th January 2013

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Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi while delivering his first speech at Congress’ chintan shivir at the Jaipur on the concluding day said that the people of this country are his life and he will fight for them. “The people of India are my life and I will fight for the people of India and for this party. I will fight with everything I have. I invite all of you to stand up and take on this fight” said Rahul Gandhi amidst loud applauds. This is a huge honour for me. Over the past 8 years and in the past 8 years the party has taught a lot to me. The party has reposed tremendous faith in me and I want to thank all of you from bottom of my heart for all the help and directions they have given me. There are people from south India who want me to speak in English. There are people of north India who want me to speak in Hindi. As a tradition I will first speak in English and then in Hindi. In 1947 India was liberated, not by arms, but by unleashing the voice of our people. Other countries fought violently; they fought with weapons; they fought with death; India fought with non-violence and with voice. Everybody told us that it can not be done. They told us if we want to get rid of British you have to use violence. But the Congress party said no and also said that we are not going to use violence. We will use non-violence and we defeated the biggest empire of that time and sent them home.

Rahul Gandhi addresses AICC session

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Rahul Gandhi tells partymen at Chintan shivir: I will treat all of you equally. We should transform the system by working as a unit. We should listen to people's voices. Congress is the biggest family of the world. We need to generate more jobs, best training centres should be formed.

Development and welfare – the focus for Rahul Gandhi

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi made it a practice to concentrate mainly on development. When many of his opponents indulge in personal attacks, he focused on welfare of the poor and development of the state.

Rahul Gandhi always stressed for the need of inclusive growth

Development of the country and welfare of aam aadmi have been the main agenda for Congress General Secretary and party MP Rahul Gandhi. He always believed in inclusive growth.

Rahul Gandhi at Shahjahanpur (U.P)

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Rahul Gandhi at Shahjahanpur (U.P)

Rahul Gandhi at Saharanpur in U.P, 30th December 2011

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Rahul Gandhi at Saharanpur in U.P, 30th December 2011

Rahul Gandhi at Pipraich, Gorakhpur(U.P), 7th January 2012

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Rahul Gandhi at Pipraich, Gorakhpur(U.P), 7th January 2012

Rahul Gandhi in Chauri Chaura, (U.P) 8th January 2012

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Rahul Gandhi in Chauri Chaura, (U.P) 8th January 2012