Farmer ends life fearing crop loss due to loadshedding

A farmer at Jeedamakanahalli under Bethamangala police limits in Bangarpet taluk committed suicide after consuming pesticides at his farm on Tuesday night.

The victim was identified as Venkatesh B.S. (35).

The police said that he feared crop loss due to unscheduled loadshedding. An imminent crop loss created a fear in Venkatesh whether he will be able to repay loans taken for farming.

On Wednesday, a large number of people and members of farmer organisations staged a protest with the body in front of the Bethamangala police station demanding compensation to Venkatesh’s family.

Venkatesh, the police said, had availed himself of loans from banks and private moneylenders to drill a tubewell in his farm and for farming. The loan amount with interest was said to have crossed Rs. 4.5 lakh.

Tahsildar S.M. Mangala gave an assurance that steps will be taken to provide compensation to the farmer’s family after discussing the issue with the authorities concerned.

She announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 10,000 besides Rs. 1,000 for the last rites.