Maharashtra Farmer Suicides: 235 Farmers Ended Lives in September, Relief & Rehab Minister Asks for Food and Health Security
The Maharashtra state government said that 235 farmers had committed suicide in the state for various reasons in September 2018.
Mumbai, November 24: The Maharashtra state government said that 235 farmers had committed suicide in the state for various reasons in September 2018. Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation (MRR) minister Chandrakant Patil stated this in a written reply to Legislative Assembly on Thursday and asked for Food and Health security for farmers. In Nashik from the start of the year to September 2018, 73 cases of farmers suicide were reported. Marathwada region witnessed 674 suicide cases, from which 445 were entitled to compensation.
In six districts of Vidarbha region, 15,629 farmers have ended their lives for various reason between January 2001 and October 2018. Out of them, 7,008 farmers were eligible for Rs One lakh compensation to their families and nearly 215 cases are still under investigation, reported minister. Maharashtra Government Declares Drought in 151 Tehsils, Check Full List.
Patil said that there are no specific criteria for providing compensation to the farmers who have ended their lives. The minister further added that instruction was given to concerned authorities to provide a benefit of health security scheme as well as food security scheme to all the farmers who are in need and free education to children of those who have ended their lives. Maharashtra: Farmers Call Off Protest After Getting Written Assurance From Fadnavis Government.
Earlier on October 31, Maharashtra government has declared a drought in 151 tehsils for receiving 30 per cent deficient rain as compared to the long-term average. Most of the severely affected tehsils fall in Vidarbha and Marathwada region. To provide relief to the people in distress a central government team would be visiting tehsils to assist the level of drought and to decide the amount of financial assistance which should be disbursed by the Centre.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2018 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).