40% rise in farmer suicides in Maharashtra

[Hindustani78]

184 farmers commit suicide in Karnataka in last 3 mths: Govt

As many as 184 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka in the last three months mainly due to debt burden, Parliament was informed today.

"The government of Karnataka has reported that 184 farmers committed suicide in the state during the last three months," Minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kundari said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

As many as 152 farmers committed suicide in July, 20 in June and 12 in May, he said.
The Karnataka government has reported "debt" as the main reason for farmers' suicides and has taken suitable steps including enforcement of relevant acts, additional support to minimum support price, concessional loans to farmers, loan waiver, among others, he added.

Asked if the Centre is considering to announce any immediate relief measures to debt ridden farmers of Karnataka, the Minister said, "The government believes that its comprehensive intervention that address the concern from production to marketing stages including enhanced credit availability will take care of the situation."

"Agriculture including agricultural indebtedness being a state subject, state government takes appropriate measures for development of agriculture sector in the state," he said.

Among several measures taken by Karnataka, Kundaria said the state has set up committees at district and sub-divisional levels to enforce the provisions under Karnataka Money lenders Act, Karnataka Pawn Brokers Act, Chit Fund Act and Karnataka Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act.

"So far, 1,031 cases have been filed against erring money lenders and 515 persons arrested," he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Farmers intensify agitation for irrigation, water projects
Hubballi, Aug 11, 2015, DHNS

The farmers’ agitation in northwestern Karnataka for implementation of two major water projects intensified on Monday, with the protesters blocking the busy Kittur Rani Channamma Circle in the heart of Hubballi and holding demonstrations in many towns of Dharwad and Gadag districts.
Farmers have demanded that the government immediately implement the Mahadayi-Malaprabha river-linking project for irrigation and the Kalasa-Banduri nala-linking project for drinking water. Farmers at Nargund in Gadag district have been protesting for the last 27 days, mainly for sanction of the Mahadayi-Malaprabha project which is expected to irrigate farmland in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot districts.
Meanwhile, the agitation for implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri project also intensified. The project aims to supply drinking water to 13 towns in northwestern Karnataka, including Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag, Haveri and Bagalkot.
Until recently, the agitation was spearheaded by Raitha Sena Karnataka. But other farmers’ organisations and even a few chambers of commerce and industry have joined it too.

Nargund town, which witnessed a shutdown on Sunday, saw a total bandh on Monday too. But educational institutions and government offices functioned as usual. Protesters have called for a shutdown on Tuesday as well.

Navalgund town in Dharwad district too witnessed a total shutdown and shopkeepers put up the shutters voluntarily. Owing to shutdown of these towns, the busy Hubballi-Sholapur national highway was totally blocked from dawn to dusk.

This apart, a bandh at Byahatti village in Dharwad district led to the Dharwad-Navalgund road being blocked. A bandh at Bhadrapur in Gadag district blocked the Hubballi-Gadag-Koppal road. In Hubballi, at least 3,000 college students skipped classes and took to streets, demanding the speedy implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri project.

Farmers from surrounding villages arrived in bullock carts and tractors, and joined the students in a massive protest at the Kittur Rani Channamma Circle, completely blocking traffic at one of the busiest intersections in the State. The intersection is unique in Karnataka as national highways connecting Bengaluru, Pune, Karwar, Gadag and Vijayapura pass through it.

Meanwhile, several organisations under the auspices of Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha, a cultural organisation which in the past led the Karnataka unification movement and the Gokak Chaluvali (agitation), have decided to support the farmers.
To begin with, they will hold an indefinite dharna (sit-in) outside the deputy commissioner’s office in Dharwad on Thursday.

 

[Hindustani78]

Farmer commits suicide after losing 13 acres of crop - The Hindu
Updated: August 21, 2015 17:10 IST

A 58-year-old farmer allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide in Desur under Nesargi Police station limits of Bailhongal taluk on Thursday night.

Ningappa Mallappa Kalyanahatti, originally a native of Badal Ankalgi in Belagavi taluk, had shifted to his wife Channava’s maternal home in Desnur over 22 years ago. He started cultivating 14 acres of agricultural land belonging to his brother-in-law.After the death of his brother-in-law, he settled in Desnur and took the responsibility of bringing up Channavva’s newphew Santosh, now 19 years old. Ningappa and Channavva continued to cultivate the 14 acres left behind.

According to Arjun Basappawadi, a close relative of Ningappa, the deceased farmer had taken up cotton in 5 acres and soyabean in 8 acres, leaving one acre uncultivated. Due to rain failing, he lost both crops and came under stress from mounting interest on bank loans. He had availed Rs. 60,000 from a Prathamik Krishi Pattina Sahakari Sangha branch near Nesargi, in addition to Rs. 2 lakh of loan from a few others. That apart, he had availed a substantial loan from a private bank to purchase a tractor over six months ago.

The Nesargi police have registered a case.

 

[Hindustani78]

Maharashtra panel moots new crop loans to arrest farmers suicides | Zee News

Last Updated: Monday, August 24, 2015 - 23:35
Mumbai: The Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavlamban Mission (VNSSM), set up by the Maharashtra government, proposes to provide new crop loans to all farmers in 14 districts in a bid to arrest suicides, its chairman said on Monday.

"We have proposed 100 percent new crop loans worth around Rs.40,000 crore to all farmers from April 2016, for which the state government and NABARD would be required to make suitable funds outlay," VNSSM's newly-appointed chairman Kishore Tiwari told IANS.

Besides, the VNSSM, headquartered in Amravati, has recommended restructuring of all existing farm loans for which funds have already been allocated, but the banks have failed to complete their targets, he added.

"In the current season, around 50 percent farmers have not been covered by state aid or loans and we want to release it by the month-end," Tiwari said.

The VNSSM will approach the Reserve Bank of India to relax norms to facilitate disbursal of fresh farm credits and impress upon banks to cooperate with the farmers to avoid more suicides in the worst-hit areas of Vidarbha and parts of Marathwada regions.

At a preliminary meeting last week, attended by Pravin Pardesi, in-charge CMO, it was decided to complete all pending borewell works in farmlands, ensure completion of food and health security scheme and clear back of electric connections to farmers by March 31, 2016, Tiwari said.

The newly-revamped VNSSM with eight top members named Tiwari, chief of watchdog NGO Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, as its chairman, with the rank of minister of state.

Tiwari, 57, who categorically that he would not accept the frills and privileges associated with the post, said the VNSSM would submit its first report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the departments concerned within a month.

It has been empowered to recommend and ensure implementation of a host of measures for the welfare of the six million farmers including finance, food, health and education security to prevent more incidents of suicides in the parched farmlands in 14 districts in VNSSM's jurisdiction.

Since January, Maharashtra recorded over 2,000 farmers suicides and in the past four weeks alone the figure stood at 146, mainly due to prevailing drought conditions and failure of monsoon in the state.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

A physically challenged person R. Lakshmaiah committed suicide in Nellore on Thursday worried over Centre not granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Photo: K. Ravikumar
Nellore man commits suicide - The Hindu

Concerned over unemployment and under development following bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, a physically-challenged person in Nellore committed suicide on Thursday.
In the unabated spate of suicides for achieving the special category status for Andhra Pradesh, a 55-year-old physically handicapped man ended his life by hanging himself in his house in the early hours of Thursday here in Nellore.

The man was identified as Ramisetti Lakshmaiah, who took the extreme step and left a suicide note. The incident took place at his residence located at Kesava Nagar in Vedayapalem area in the city.

Lakshmaiah said in his suicide note that the expected development would happen and unemployment problem solved only when A.P. was bestowed upon with the special category status.

Lakshmaiah served as a contract worker in the housing department’s projects for over 20 years but he lost his work in 2007. In an accident, one of his legs was cut off and he was drawing physically handicapped pension of Rs. 1,000 per month. Severe financial problems and lack of employment have disturbed him the most.

When he took the extreme step, he was alone in his residence. He used a rope to hang himself from the ceiling. This house is Lakshmaiah’s own property but he shifted his family to a rented room in Podalakuru Road on account of some court litigation. But he was visiting the Kesava Nagar house frequently for the sake of security reasons.

On Wednesday night, Lakshmaiah came to his Kesava Nagar house and he spoke to his friends in the locality before going to sleep. At around 5.30 a.m. on Thursday his sister Kausalya, who lives in adjacent house, tried to wake him up but he was sleeping. But after an hour, his sister came back to wake him but he was found hanging.

On receiving information, the police arrived at the spot and seized the suicide

 

[Hindustani78]

Women from the families of farmers, who committed suicide arriving at the panchayat office in Medak. ----PHOTO:Mohd Arif
Elkal village weeps for 28 farmers - The Hindu

Every alternate month, a farmer commits suicide in Elkal. The reason is the same — unviable farming and inability to repay loans which were obtained at high interest rates.
Barkamala Mallavva of Elkal village in Medak district of Telangana is about 50 years and has an acre of land. Her husband, Bhikshapati, committed suicide by hanging himself four years ago. Her son, Swamy, also committed suicide two years ago by consuming pesticide. The family is now left with a debt of Rs. 2 lakh incurred for drilling borewells and unviable farming.

Brothers Pitla Ravi and Narsimhulu committed suicide by consuming pesticide within a span of three years. Their mother, Sushila, is now saddled with the responsibility of repaying the debt. She has just one acre in her possession.

Similarly, burdened with a debt of Rs. 2 lakh, Sangarati Narsaiah and his son Swamy committed suicide. Their family members are now left with only half-an-acre to eke out their living.

As many as 28 farmers in the village, which has a population of 3,000, have committed suicide in the last five years. Every alternate month, a farmer commits suicide in Elkal. The reason is the same — unviable farming and inability to repay loans which were obtained at high interest rates. Almost all of them took loans from moneylenders whose interest rates range from 2 to 3 per cent a month, or 24 to 36 per cent a year.

“My husband T. Balanarsu committed suicide about four years ago and at present I am left with a debt of Rs. 3 lakh. I sold about an acre and cleared a debt of about Rs. 50,000. I performed the marriage of my two daughters and each marriage cost me about Rs. 1 lakh. I am earning about Rs. 5,000 by doing various jobs and repaying around Rs. 3,000 a month towards interest. I do not know whether I can repay the principal in my life time,” says Ms. Bharatamma.

Same is the case with Torri Venkatamma and her son Durga Prasad after the suicide of family head Torri Venkataiah, who incurred a debt of about Rs. 2 lakh.

“A major portion of our earnings is going towards payment of interest for loans. How long we can we go on like this?” asks Durga Prasad, who dropped out of Class IX following his father’s death.

Living on hope

Ironically, except three or four families, others have not registered any complaint with the police. Consequently, no post-mortem was conducted on the bodies. “They were already in deep trouble due to the death of a family member. The last rites itself are a costly affair. If you opt for post-mortem, it will cost an additional Rs. 5,000,” says Pitla Venkataiah a farmer, and husband of sarpanch Krishnaveni.

Some of the families did not even collect death certificates from the panchayat office. As many suicides were not registered, the kith and kin of the deceased may not get any compensation announced by the State government.

But still, they have not lost hope. They believe that some one will come to their rescue.

 

[jamahir]

I performed the marriage of my two daughters and each marriage cost me about Rs. 1 lakh.

sigh... such unnecessary expenditure should be stopped by law... all weddings must be court marriages.

 

[Hindustani78]

sigh... such unnecessary expenditure should be stopped by law... all weddings must be court marriages.

Traditional marriages are part of Indian culture but if 2 to 5 marriages are done at the same time then the expenditures will be less.

Already such marriages are being conducted all over India.

 

[jamahir]

Traditional marriages are part of Indian culture but if 2 to 5 marriages are done at the same time then the expenditures will be less.

Already such marriages are being conducted all over India.

even interest-based economics is part of "indian" culture for the last 2900 years... doesn't mean it should continue any longer, if we want india to be a progressive and comfortable society.

in fact, karnataka government had instituted a law in 2013, i think, where wedding expenditure over five lakhs would be taxed... good move, although the the amount to be taxed should have been brought to one lakh, to encourage court weddings.

 

[Hindustani78]

Five farmers commit suicide in State

Five debt-stressed farmers committed suicide in the State in the last 24 hours.

Basavarajappa, 65, swallowed sleeping pills in Hiregangur of Channagiri taluk on Wednesday. He had borrowed loans up to Rs 3.75 lakh from various banks. He grew areca nut in a 1.25-acre field and owns an acre of dryland. He was upset over the crash in areca nut prices, according to his family members. The Channagiri police have registered a case.

Nagappa Reddy, 70, committed suicide by consuming poison at Kadlegondi village of Harihar taluk on Wednesday. He had borrowed loans up to Rs 4 lakh. He owns two acres of land. Harihar rural police have registered a case.

Krishnamurthy, 52, ingested poison in Lakshmipura village of Madhugiri taluk on Wednesday evening. He had borrowed Rs 4.8 lakh in his mother Thimmakka’s name from State Bank of Mysuru at Tovinakere, Rs 1 lakh from Kalpataru Grameen Bank and Rs 45,000 from a moneylender.

His mother had died a year ago. Along with all the debts, the borewell in his field too had run dry. He committed suicide in distress.

Ramesh Shivaputrappa Gani, 26, a resident of Kiresur village in Hubballi taluk, consumed poison at his wife’s house in Kundagol. He breathed his last at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi.

He had borrowed Rs 2.15 lakh from a nationalised bank. He committed suicide due to crop loss, the police said. A case has been registered at Kundagol police station.

Somalingappa Jamanna Byahatti, 38, a farmer from Benachi village near Alnavar in Dharwad, hanged himself from a tree in his field.

Police said his father had taken a farm loan from the local co-operative society. His paddy crop had failed and he had recently sold his cattle for household expenses.

The police are collecting information about his debt. A case has been registered at the Alnavar police station.

 

[jamahir]

the country's pathetic political/social system letting people die for the want of artificial and unnecessary money !!

 

[Hindustani78]

the country's pathetic political/social system letting people die for the want of artificial and unnecessary money !!

These farmer deaths are linked to the micro finanicing and huge interest rates.

 

[jamahir]

These farmer deaths are linked to the micro finanicing and huge interest rates.

those two things are simply elements of the extreme capitalism culture of india essentially.

 

[Hindustani78]

those two things are simply elements of the extreme capitalism culture of india essentially.

This problem is visible even in other nations but simply blaming wont help here. GoI is looking for solutions.

 

[Hindustani78]

Nana Patekar gives aid to kin of farmers who committed suicide
Latur (Maha), Sep 6, 2015, (PTI):

Actors Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure distributed cheques of financial aid to as many as 113 families of farmers from Latur and Osmanabad districts of Marathwada, who have committed suicides, owing to drought and indebtedness.
The kin of the deceased were given cheque of Rs 15,000 each at a function held here yesterday.

"The challenge of drought is staring us in the face... I feel leaders like Sharad Pawar (NCP chief), Narayan Rane (Congress leader), and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should come together to fight the crisis," Patekar told reporters later.

"This (drought) is a natural calamity. I don't know whether my wish (of these leaders coming together) will be fulfilled or not. The drought is transient and it cannot be tackled by one party alone. Many people have helped (farmers) in their own ways, we are just postmen," the 64-year-old actor said.

Patekar and Anaspure, a famous Marathi actor, had launched a drive to help the distressed families of farmers in the wake of drought and suicides.

On August 10, they had provided financial assistance of Rs 15,000 each to the families of 62 farmers from Vidarbha region, who had committed suicide.

At the function, both the actors personally went to the seats of the kin and handed them over the cheques.

In his appeal to farmers, Patekar asked them not to surrender to the situation.
"Keep fighting. Farmers will not see good days unless their produce gets a guaranteed price. Even a notebook, a pen or even a soap has price printed on them, but milk that farmers sell do not have any price," the "Krantiveer" actor said.

On the percentage of suicide of Muslim farmers being negligible, Patekar said, "This is because Holy Quran terms suicide as a sin and the betrayal of God's will. This teaching of Quran touches my heart," the actor added.