The Gumla district administration has constituted a committee to probe the alleged suicide of debt ridden farmer in Sisai block of the district. On Wednesday, a middle aged farmer, Shivnath Oraon allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from roof of his house due to financial distress. Oraon had taken a loan of Rs 50,000 from Bank of India, Sisai Branch under Kishan Credit Card scheme, but was facing difficult to repay loan money.
A team from Gumla district administration lead by SDO, Menka and other administrative staff on Friday visited the victim’s house at Gokulpur Patratoli under Sisai police station and talked to family members. The district administration officials also provided the victim immediate compensation money. Gumla DC, Shashi Ranjan said, “Prima facie it appears to be case of suicide. A team under SDO is probing the incident. Under the National Family Benefit Scheme Rs 20,000 has been given the victim’s family. Also Shivnath Oraon’s widow’s name will be included in beneficiaries list under Widow Pension Scheme.” The district administration officials had also directed the PDS dealer to provide 50 kg rice to Oraon family members.
Ranjan said, “Prima facie we have come to know that the man had taken a loan from KCC, but the amount was not big for which he had taken such as drastic step. We will increase the duration for repaying the loan money so that the family does not face financial burden. Oraon family was getting food grains from PDS, rice at the rate of Rs 3 per kg, and wheat at Rs 2 per kg. The family was also beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.” Few months back Rs 1.30 lakh was provided to Oraon for constructing the house under the PMAY scheme and he had even constructed the house.
The DC claimed that apart from SDO, the team which visited the victim’s house also included officials from agriculture department, so that they assist and provide necessary guidelines to family members in increasing agriculture production.
Sources said that as Shivnath Oraon had taken the loan of Rs 50,000 KCC from Bank of India Sisai branch, but was unable to repay it. To repay the loan he had even worked in brick kiln and had taken Rs 20,000 as advance from brick kiln owners. As he was upset and not able to repay the loan he was planning to go to other state for working in brick kiln. On February 27, he was to go to other State for working in brick kiln.
However, sources said that on Wednesday night, Oraon quarreled with his wife over some issue leading to such a drastic step.