1,300 farmers suicides in Maharashtra within 6 months

MUMBAI: As the farm crisis rocks the state assembly, there is no escaping the fact that the despair in Maharashtra's countryside is only deepening. The farmer suicide count in the six-month span from January to June this year stood at 1,300 cases, the state's revenue department figures show.

So in just six months this year, the farmer suicide toll has already touched 66% of the 1,981 cases recorded in the entire year of 2014. The figure has also crossed the 1,296 cases recorded in the state during the 12-month span of 2013.

READ ALSO: BJP govt to dig out Pawar 'model' to cur farmer suicides

The data suggests that the toll for 2015 is likely to cross the number of cases recorded in 2014.

Critics say the revenue department figures are an underestimation. Data on farmer suicides in the state from the National Crime Records Bureau has always been much higher. The bureau has also consistently reported that Maharashtra has the highest number of farmer suicides in the country.

READ ALSO: Maharashtra records half of country's farmer suicide cases

Significantly, only 55% of the suicides recorded by the revenue department so far have been declared eligible for compensation. To be considered an "eligible suicide", the land has to be in the victim's name and there should be evidence of indebtedness. The government claims only these cases are linked to agrarian distress.

As the opposition pushes for a loan waiver for the state's farmers, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to make a statement in the assembly on Monday.

Significantly, the cotton belt of Vidarbhafrom where chief minister Devendra Fadnavis hailscontinues to report the highest number of farmer suicides. As many as 671 cases are from this region. This accounts for slightly more than half the number of farmer suicides so far.

The arid region of Marathwada recorded 438 cases till June, accounting for 34% of the total cases. The north Maharashtra belt has recorded 158 cases. The sugar bowl of western Maharashtra accounted for 32 cases while the Konkan region has reported only one case so far this year.

READ ALSO: Farmer suicides show over 50% drop as data collection methodology changes

Cops wonder why Delhi government showing undue interest

When asked about the rising numbers, state revenue minister Eknath Khadse said, "We have implemented a number of schemes to give relief to farmers and also for water conservation. We expect the numbers of cases to come down."

On the possibility of a loan waiver, Khadse said, "In the past, a loan waiver was given but the suicides continued. We want to focus on generating alternative employment like dairy and poultry farming."

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