Farmers' suicide: Panel to study reasons

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, AUG. 1. The Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna, told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that a committee would be set up soon to scientifically study the factors that drove farmers to commit suicide.

Such a suggestion was made during the Zero Hour by Mr. K. Srinivasa Gowda Kuduvanahalli (Janata Dal-U), who represents Kolar constituency where a 37-year-old farmer committed suicide on Tuesday.

Mr. Kuduvanahalli, who raised the issue, said there was a need for a scientific assessment of the factors that forced farmers to end their lives.

One of the reasons for the suicide could be that they were unable to repay loans taken from money lenders at high rate of interest. Fall in the prices of agricultural produce could also be one of the factors.

It was time to take up a rational and scientific study, he said and added that suicide by farmers should not be politicised. An understanding of the issues involved and an honest approach were required, he pointed out.

Criticising money lenders who gave loans to farmers at high rate of interest, Mr. C. Byre Gowda said action should be taken against such persons as per the law. He wanted the Government to conduct an inquiry.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Jagadish Shettar, supported the demand for an enquiry and said a probe should be conducted by a committee.

He said that during the tenure of the previous government, a House committee was constituted following several cases of suicide by farmers. The committee had made suggestions which should be considered, he added.

Accepting the suggestions of members of the Opposition, Mr. Krishna said he would make an announcement about the formation of a committee before the Legislature session ended on August 4.

The proposed committee would be asked to study the role of private money lenders, he added.

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Section  : Southern States
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