The issues of release of compensation to the families of farmers who had committed suicide due to crop loss and the need to urge the governments to waive crop loans taken by farmers in all banks dominated the general body meeting of the Mandya Zilla Panchayat here on Monday.
Opposition leader Basavaraju, who raised the issue of famers’ suicide due to various reasons, urged the zilla panchayat to ask the State and Union governments to waive crop loans taken by farmers from nationalised and cooperative banks and societies.
Komala, president of the zilla panchayat, was present.
Resolution
When a majority of the zilla panchayat members supported Mr. Basavaraju, it was unanimously resolved to write to the State and Union governments to waive crop loans taken by farmers.
The members alleged that several families of farmers, who had committed suicides, were not getting the compensation from State government.
A total of 57 farmers have ended their lives in the district so far. The department has distributed the compensation to 15 such families and would soon initiate measures to release the relief to the remaining families, Joint Director of Agriculture M.N. Rajasulochana said.
Toilets
The panchayat would remit the subsidy amount for the construction of toilets in individual households under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) into individual bank accounts of beneficiaries through electronic fund transfer system, Deputy Secretary N.D. Prakash said.
According to him, the zilla panchayat had requested the Union government to release Rs. 10 crore for the purpose.
Vice-president of the zilla panchayat Gowramma, standing committee presidents V. Manje Gowda, Divyashree and Manjula, Deputy Secretary C.V. Sneha and others were present.