Steno Kailash Chandra Vol-23 Dictation No. 352

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Rural Development, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution. I compliment our hon. Minister, Shri Balram Jhakar, who is keeping in view the dreams of our Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who always felt and said that the progress of India files in the progress of rural India. We have to fulfil the aspirations of the people of rural India. We have to make their dream come true. More than 80 per cent of the people dwell in rural India. Therefore, a new democracy was introduced after the Independence of India and all our stalwarts who came and adorned this august House, whether they were in opposition or in position, they also felt that agriculture is one of the most important aspects of livelihood of the Indian people.