Baburao Chinchansur, Minister for Textiles, Ports and also district in-charge, on Wednesday visited the house of 60-year-old debt-ridden farmer, Basavaraj Hanumatharaya Shireddy, who allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide in his field at Gogi (K) village in Shahpur taluk in Yadgir district on Tuesday.
After visiting the farmer’s family, including his mother, his wife and two sons, the Minister assured them that he would discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah the issue of waiving off the loans which Shireddy availed from DCC bank and other commercial banks immediately. The Minister also paid Rs. 50,000 as compensation by own.
According to his family, Shireddy availed loans of around Rs. 10 lakh to develop land, which he owned, and around 26 acres of land on lease from other farmers.
They explained to the Minister that they planted paddy and cotton in around 30 acres of land in Gogi village and spent nearly Rs. 25, 000 per acre. But, they could only get less than 50 per cent of their expected return due to the crash in the prices of paddy and cotton.
Paddy was sold for Rs. 800 per bag, weighing 75 kg, and cotton for Rs. 3,500 per quintal. Normally, farmers get Rs. 1,400 for paddy and Rs. 5,000 for cotton, they added.
“When the prices crashed, my son decided to end his life,” Shireddy’s mother told Mr. Chinchansur.
Meanwhile, Minister handed over documents regarding widow pension, which was sanctioned to Shireddy’s wife, and she will be paid Rs. 500 per month henceforth.
Mr. Chinchansur also said that he would also discuss with Mr. Siddaramaiah the issue of giving a government job to Shireddy’s son and added that Rs. 1 lakh as immediate compensation would be given by the Agriculture Department after meeting with the officials.
60-year-old Basavaraj Hanumatharaya Shireddy allegedly committed suicide
