91 Farmers in Maharashtra's Buldhana Seek Permission For Euthanasia
The euthanasia demand from farmers comes a day after PM Modi, while addressing the nation through his radio show Mann Ki Baat, said the government is working towards ensuring a fair price for farmers on their produce.
Mumbai, Mar 26: At least 91 farmers in Maharashtra's Buldhana district have sought permission from the government for euthanasia or passive suicide. The distressed farmers have written to the Governor and Sub-Divisional Officer, demanding the legal nod to end their lives.
The farmers have cited inadequate remunerative prices on crops, along with the below-par compensation for lands acquired from them, as the reasons behind their wish to opt for euthanasia.
According to reports, the farmers in Buldhana and other parts of Vidharbha are being forced to sell their crops below the Minimum Support Prices or the MSP fixed by the government.
The euthanasia demand from farmers comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation through his radio show Mann Ki Baat, said the government is working towards ensuring a fair price for farmers on their produce.
"To ensure adequate return to farmers, a major decision was made in this year's budget. It was decided to give 1.5 the input costs as MSP for the scheduled crop," Modi said.
He further claimed that the e-NAM or the electronic National Agriculture Market will ensure that farmers are no longer exploited.
"Farmers do not have to go far enough to sell their products - this will be integrated with Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) and e-NAM platform, upgrading the country's 22,000 rural haat with the required infrastructure," the Prime Minister added.
Maharashtra recently witnessed a 200-km protest march by farmers in western Maharashtra, seeking "complete loan-waiver" and hike in MSP, among other demands.
The agitation was undertaken from Nashik to Mumbai under the aegis of All India Kisan Sabha. The protest was withdrawn following an assurance given by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 12:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).