If the Maharashtra government is to be believed, only three farmers have committed suicide in the State because of crop failure due to unseasonal rain and hailstorms since January.
The government, however, acknowledges that 598 more farmers have taken their own lives during the period, but is unaware of the reasons for the deaths as the victims had not left behind suicide notes.
State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Eknath Khadse said here on Tuesday that by government figures, 601 farmers had committed suicide.
On Monday, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh told Parliament that only three farmers had committed suicide in Maharashtra. Only they had left behind suicide notes blaming crop destruction, he said.
The State has faced a series of natural calamities in the past two years that destroyed crops in Marathwada, Vidarbha and northern Maharashtra. The Centre has announced a Rs. 2,000-crore financial package to the State.
Asked if Maharashtra would ask for another package from the Centre, Mr. Khadse said the State was capable of handling the problem.
