The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served a notice to the Chief Secretary over the Government’s alleged failure in reaching out to the distressed farmers resulting in rising farmers’ suicide cases in the State.
Acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex rights panel recently sought a detailed report within four weeks from the Chief Secretary.
The petitioner cited various examples of suicides in different districts of the
State where distressed debt-ridden farmers have ended their lives either by consuming poison, hanging and jumping into wells.
“Farmers’ suicide has become a regular feature in the State. While it has been clearly established that the troubled farmers are committing suicide due to massive crop loss and heavy loan burden, the State Government is still in a denial mode. The horrendous trend of farmers committing suicides remains unabated as the administration fail to reach the farmers to address their problems,” Tripathy contended.
He further drew the attention of the NHRC to the remark BJD Binjharpur MlA Pramila Mallick advising Opposition parties to provide Amar ladoo (Immortal sweets) to farmers so that they won’t die anymore.
“If this is the attitude of the responsible people who are entrusted with governance, then what will happen to the poor marginal farmer of the State,” asked the petitioner.
“The drought situation and failure of the Government to act over the issue, negligence in ensuring timely help is responsible for the large scale suicides of farmers. The facts and circumstances of the case clearly indicate severe violation of human rights of the farmers,” Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the cases and direct the State for legal action against the errant officials and pay Rs 20 lakh compensation to the kin of the each deceased farmers and to follow the MS Swaminathan recommendation to check peasant suicide in the State and ensure their basic human rights.