Bengaluru/Raichur: In an attempt to fight distress among farmers, Karnataka on Saturday sought the assistance of Central government. Delivering his Independence Day address, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “These days, our farmers are in distress. Continuing suicides by farmers have pained me and prevented me from enjoying the Independence Day celebrations. The central government should lend us a helping hand and their response should be above the party affiliations. Though we have taken steps to mitigate the problems of farmers, they continue to commit suicide, due to factors beyond our control."
After unfurling the Tricolour, he said that the number of farmer suicides had been on the decline over the last two years, from 58 in 2013 to 48 in 2014. In April, May and June this year, the number of suicides was 39. But it suddenly shot up to 182 in July. The government is ascertaining the real cause behind these suicides, so that corrective measures can be taken, he said.
Mr Siddaramaiah said that he has mixed feelings about the achievements of his government – satisfaction and pride over accomplishments, but deep pain because of farmer suicides. “I have a personal experience and know the ordeals of farmers. I will not hesitate to declare that he agriculture sector will always remain my political and administrative priority."
At this critical juncture, the government and all the people of the state are with farmers, he said, and urged youngsters to join the government in this effort. He asked educated youngsters in farmers’ families to interact with distressed farmers, explain to them the welfare measures taken, and instill confidence in them.
“These youngsters should also draw the government's attention to discrepancies, if any, in the existing schemes, which would be set right.”
Two more farmers commit suicide
Two farmers committed suicide in the district on Saturday, allegedly over debt burden. Hanumanthaiah Shetty (45) of Ragal Parvi village in Sindhanur taluk committed suicide by consuming poison. Shetty had borrowed '1 lakh from the Jewalgera Syndicate Bank and another Rs 1 lakh from private money lenders.
In another incident, Hanumantha Lambani (55) of Geeta Camp in the same taluk too committed suicide by consuming poison. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Lambani, who did not own any land, had taken five acres on lease. He had availed of a loan of Rs 50,000. He was depressed over lack of rain in the region that had affected his crops.
