The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a suo motu cognizance of media reports that the Government of Maharashtra in the State Assembly has informed that 639 farmers committed suicide in the State between March and May, 2018. The reported reasons were crop failure, debt and inability to repay bank loans.
The Commission has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, calling for detailed reports in the matter, specifically mentioning the status of implementation of schemes for farmers and relief to the aggrieved families. The response is expected within four weeks.
NHRC in a release said the Union government is expected to inform the Commission, if they have any specific plan or mechanism in their mind to effectively address the situation.
“The Commission has observed that it is not for the first time that such news has come to its notice. It has been receiving complaints regarding the deaths of farmers across the country, including the State of Maharashtra. Farmer suicides, in such large numbers, is a serious matter as it involves the right to life of the victims. Their families also come under tremendous pressure due to the sudden demise of an earning member,” NHRC said in its release.
According to NHRC, despite announcement of several schemes, including crop insurance and loan waiver by the Central and State Governments, the forlorn story of poor farmers generally remain the same. “Farmers are still choosing to end their lives, understandably, for not being able to cope with the stress, financial crunch and social stigma due to crop failure. There is a need for the Centre and the State to see that the schemes announced by them are implemented in true spirit,” it said.
ACTION TIME
NHRC in a release said the Union government is expected to inform the Commission, if they have any specific plan or mechanism in their mind to effectively address the situation
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