The Hindu Business Line : 25 farmers committed suicide in AP since July 1

Hyderabad, Aug. 20 Andhra Pradesh has recorded 25 farmers suicides in the last 50 days. Fifteen other deaths in the farm sector were due to poor financial status of farmers, but unrelated to the seasonal conditions, according to the State Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Speaking on adverse seasonal conditions in the Legislative Assembly, Dr Reddy said the State has stepped up efforts to analyse the reasons for such deaths in the last two months. Necessary measures have been initiated to address the concerns of farmers.

He also called upon the opposition parties and his colleagues not to press the panic button. Any such move to do so would only aggravate the situation rather than providing solutions, he said.

Govt’s measures

The Chief Minister said one of the priorities for the Congress Government was to address farm sector issues. That was one of the reasons why the first step initiated by the State was to waive power dues of Rs 1,100 crore and the interest burden of Rs 2,000 crore on the farm sector loans.

This was followed by a Rs 13,150 crore debt relief package as a part of the national initiative. In addition, Rs 1,850 crore was provided to the farm sector. In all, about Rs 17,000 crore was allocated to the farm sector in one year after the Congress Government took over last time.

The number of farmers committing suicide has also come down from a high of 1,031 in 2005. In 2006, the State recorded total deaths of 540, 2007 (432), 2008 (277). Between January 1, 2009 and June, two deaths were reported.

However, this number has shot up in the last two months. District administration is studying the reasons for such instances, he said.

In many instances, deaths due to other than farm sector related issues are being projected as farmers’ suicides. Therefore, the committee empowered to study the conditions of farmers would provide the reasons for such deaths.

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