North Karnataka: Are unkind banks driving farmers to brink of suicide?

Hubballi: Sixty-five year old farmer Sanabasappa Pujar from Y T Honnatti village in Ranibennur taluk in Haveri district, is one among six farmers who committed suicide in the last three months in the undivided Dharwad district.

He ended his life by consuming poison as he had lost crops due to excess rain. He had gone into depression due to harassment by finance companies and banks as he was served eight notices to repay the loan installment. He could not repay the loan of Rs 2.5 lakh taken from State Bank of India three years ago. He committed suicide as his loan amount shot up to Rs 4 lakh including interest and his house collapsed due to incessant rains last year.

Several suicide cases are going unnoticed in North Karnataka region. Many farmers have not received compensation as these cases are still under verification before the committee headed by the assistant commissioner. Most of these farmers have committed suicide owing to harassment of banks for the delay in repayment of loans. Such incidents are continuing unabated despite the district administration issuing a direction to banks and finance companies.

"My father was dejected over several notices from banks as the maize and cotton crop was destroyed owing to excess rain. We had spent lakhs of rupees to sink two borewells. But, we did not get enough water. We are forced to work as daily wagers and live in a rented house after collapse of our home", said Shivaputrappa Pujar, son of deceased farmer Sanabasappa.

The situation of the family of debt-ridden farmer Devendragouda Patil of Budihal village in Gadag is no different after he ended his life by consuming pesticide two months ago. He was also served notices to repay Rs 3.65 loan, forcing him to commit suicide. He failed to get enough yield despite spending Rs 3.5 lakh to grow cotton and jowar.