Uttar Pradesh: Priyanka Gandhi questions govt over farmer's death

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday cited a media report and called out BJP government in Uttar Pradesh for death of farmer in prison. This farmer was arrested because of n-payment of a hefty electricity bill. She urged government to compensate farmer’s family. She reiterated through her tweet that things that happened to this farmer are “condemnable”. 

Her tweet supporting farmers, translated to " UP's BJP government raised electricity prices and farmers are being tortured by putting m in jail in name of recovery of electricity bill. incident that happened to a farmer from Budaun, Brijpal. It is condemnable. His family should be compensated, and farmer should be tortured”.  

Read: UP Farmers protest: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacks BJP government

electricity tariff hike

According to media reports,  Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) at start of September approved up to 12% increase in power tariffs for various consumer categories.  older rate for  first 150 units used was ₹4.90 per unit but after changes, it has been increased by 12% to ₹5.50 per unit. 

Read: BSP leader Sudhindra Bhadoria asks Centre to fulfill farmers' demands

Priyanka: Why farmers are t allowed to protest?

Priyanka Gandhi, earlier, criticized  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Central government for stopping farmers from entering national capital to raise ir demands. She also tweeted about same concern. se farmers also marched to Delhi's Kisan Ghat and demanded pending sugarcane dues, loan waivers, and cheap electricity. Barricades were put across roads in a bid to strengn security at East Delhi's Ghaziapur border to stop agitating farmers from reaching Delhi. 

Read: 'Moti Bagh' documentary on Indian farmer's life gets Oscar mination

Her tweet said, “What is reason that farmers are being prevented from coming to Delhi and raising ir demands? BJP government, in its campaigns, talks about welfare of farmers. But when farmers of Uttar Pradesh say y want sugarcane arrears, loan waiver and cut in electricity prices, why are y t allowed to speak?" 

Read: UP Farmers march to Delhi's Kisan Ghat, Centre agrees to 5 demands

(With inputs from ANI)