Farmers’ suicides in rural India now directly connected to weather-related events. When will state governments take protective measures? Photo: ICP / RG
Following the recent bout of unseasonal showers and hailstorms in Maharashtra, sources working closely with the government have said that around 18 farmers have killed themselves between February 22 and March 18, social activists claim the figure could be between 80 and 100 — more than the average for every two months, as reported by The Times of India.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan has assured farmers of the area that their plight will be immediately taken into account. He has also appealed to the farmers to not take any ’emotional step’ and has reiterated that the government is acutely aware of destruction that has been brought on by the untimely rain. The state cabinet has called an urgent meeting on Wednesday to discuss relief and rehabilitation for hailstorm-hit areas.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan has assured farmers of the area that their plight will be immediately taken into account. He has also appealed to the farmers to not take any ’emotional step’ and has reiterated that the government is acutely aware of destruction that has been brought on by the untimely rain.
Kishor Tiwari, an activist claimed that around 100 farmers had committed suicides across Maharashtra following unseasonal showers and hailstorms. “The situation after the hailstorm is really damaging. Three days of hailstorm has completed damaged the crop of horsegram, wheat and jowar. Earlier bouts of unseasonal showers had damaged the soyabean crop. So it’s an irreparable loss to the farmers for which government help is too late and too little,” Tiwari said.
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