Maharashtra: 639 farmers ended lives between March-May this year
In Maharashtra, 639 farmers committed suicide between March and May this year due to crop failure, debt, and inability to repay bank loans. They committed suicide between 1 Mar-31 May'18, State Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said. "Of these, 188 were declared eligible for compensation as per government-schemes, based on the government's criteria of crop failure, debts, and their failure to repay loans," he added.
Families of 174 farmers received compensation: Patil
"Of the 188 (deceased farmers eligible for compensation), families of 174 farmers have received compensation," Patil said, adding 122 cases were declared ineligible for compensation, while 329 cases are pending a probe.
Opposition says all govt schemes failed to help farmers
Leader of Opposition, Dhananjay Munde, alleged all Maharashtra government schemes, including loan waiver, compensation to farmers for crop loss, crop loans, and minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural goods, have failed, leading to the rise in farmer suicides. He claimed in the last four years as many as 13,000 farmers ended their lives, of which 1,500 committed suicide in the last one year alone.
8 talukas were affected by drought this year
Patil said eight talukas of Yavatmal, Washim, and Jalgaon districts were declared affected by medium intensity drought in April this year. "Accordingly, compensation and other assistance was provided to the affected farmers," the Revenue Minister said.
Steps to retrieve farmers' mortgaged land will be taken: CM
On May 29 this year, the Center made amendments in the rules for declaration of drought-hit areas based on the suggestions made by the states. Accordingly, the state revenue and forest departments made the changes on June 28, Patil said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted that appropriate action will be taken to recover mortgaged lands of farmers from lenders.
Opposition had sought details on farmer suicides in Maharashtra
"Efforts will be made to get back the mortgaged jewelry of a victim farmer from lenders," Co-operative Minister Subhash Deshmukh said. He also said that availing benefits under the government's "lender-free farmer" scheme by submitting fake documents was a crime. The ministers were speaking in the Legislative Council in Nagpur yesterday as the opposition members sought details related to farmer suicides in Maharashtra.
