In Marathwada 2 more farmers have ended their lives. As per latest figures released by the Aurangabad Divisional Commissionerate, the toll has reached to 445 this year. More and more farmers are embracing death in the eight districts of Marathwada.
Loan waiver has been announced by the Maharashtra Government for the farmers. Despite this fact, farmers continue to embrace suicides in Marathwada. 42 farmers have ended their lives in just the last two weeks which is really saddening. Magnitude of distress in this rural area has been highlighted by officials of the government. Farmer suicides are being monitored by the Aurangabad divisional commissionerate and they have recorded that as on June 26, 2017, a total of 445 farmers have ended their lives. Around farmers committed suicide just between June 19 and June 25 while more have ended their lives between June 12 and June 18 which is really alarming.
After the statewide strike of farmers was called, the first announcement of loan waiver was made by the government on June 11, 2017. On that day, a loan waiver plan of about 34000 crore was cleared by the state cabinet. Loans upto the tune of 1.5 lakhs have been waived off per famer as stated by Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He stated that 89 lakh farmers would benefit from this loan waiver. Both marginal and small debt ridden farmers would find this loan waiver beneficial.
Latest figures indicate that 75 is the highest number of farmers committing suicide was in Nanded District. Followed by Beed with 74, Osmanabad with 68, and Aurangabad with 62. In just the last 7 months, a huge number of farmers have ended their lives.
Once the loan waiver would take effect on the ground, the farmers would stop ending their lives, states Head of the government appointed Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swavlamban Mission, Mr.Kishor Tiwari. He expects a drastic fall in suicide rates, once farmers are aware that banks have waived off their loans. To alleviate distress amongst farmers, the government is working at all levels be it health cover, crop insurance and food security given to farmers states Mr. Kishor Tiwari.
Naval Kishore Ram, Collector of Aurangabad district feels that family problems, disease and mounting debt are some of the causes for farmer suicides.
