The State government’s efforts to give clarity on farm loan waiver notwithstanding, the confusion among farmers on whether they would be covered under the scheme or not continues.
Assurance from the government on implementing the scheme fully did not seem any impact as five deaths were reported in Medak district in the past one week. A farmer, Boppanapally Rajaiah (43), of Gatlamalyala village in Nanganoor mandal, committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence on Sunday night. He had reportedly incurred debt of Rs. 3 lakh after he dug three borewells that did not yield water. Besides, he had taken loan of Rs. 75,000 from a bank in 2013. After the government hinted at cap on loan waiver, he was reportedly unsure of being covered under the scheme that led to his taking the extreme step. The same worry is said to have bothered Karre Beeraiah (30), a farmer from Timmakkapally village in Daultabad mandal, who committed suicide by hanging himself in his field on Friday night. He had taken bank loan of Rs. 30,000 in 2010.
Farmers Yerrola Sekhulu (29), Boini Dattatri (52) of Khasimpur village in Zaheerabad mandal, and Mutyala Sangaiah (42) of Polkampally village in Munipally mandal died of cardiac arrest on coming to know about the cap on loan waiver. They reportedly were not sure of being eligible for loan waiver that consequently led to stress which they later succumbed to.
“Farmers are in stress as they are confused about the scheme. The government has failed to give clarity on the issue and it’s time it responds to check suicides by farmers,” said an official in the Agriculture Department.
