Maharashtra: 2,851 farmers ended lives in 2023 despite loan waivers, schemes

MUMBAI: Distress among farmers in Maharashtra pushed 2,851 of them to end their lives last year, according to data compiled by state relief and rehabilitation department. During the same period in 2022, 2,942 debt-ridden farmers died by suicide and in 2021, the number was 2,743.

Region-wise, Vidarbha (1,439) saw the highest number of farmer suicide cases in 2023, followed by Marathwada (1,088). As per the data, 318 farmers died by suicide in Amravati district, 302 in Yavatmal, 292 in Buldhana, 269 in Beed, 182 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and 151 in Jalgaon.

Of the total 2,851 cases recorded last year, the next of kin of deceased were eligible for ex gratia in 1,551 cases and in 96% of the cases, payment was made as per rules. While 746 cases were found to be ineligible for ex gratia, inquiry is pending in 554 cases, the data showed.

Farmers' leader Kishore Tiwari blamed the indifferent attitude and anti-farmer policies of government for the farmer suicides. "We lack political will to tackle the agrarian crisis. The much-publicised loan waiver scheme declared two years ago was never implemented in letter and spirit, as a result, many farmers were left out of the scheme," Tiwari said.

A day after Eknath Shinde became chief minister on June 30, 2022, he had assured that he would take all possible steps to tackle the agrarian crisis and had taken a pledge to make Maharashtra a farmer suicide-free state. However, Tiwari claimed, no efforts have been made by government to provide a comprehensive action plan for vulnerable farmers and strengthen the health schemes. "Crop failure is one of the most important reasons for farmer suicides, but no attention was given to this aspect. We believed that agriculture department would chalk out a plan to halt crop failure or change in cropping pattern, but government was silent on all crucial aspects," he said.

Another farmer leader said that despite the worst ever drought recorded in 15 districts and floods in other parts of the state, no strategy was drafted to provide financial assistance to farmers.

"Government resolutions are issued from Mantralaya, but there is no one to ensure that the orders are implemented. For a prolonged period, the orders have remained on paper," the farmer leader said, adding: "Government has been announcing relief packages, but there is no transparency in implementation of these schemes."


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