Unabated farmers’ suicides in Karnataka were the main focus of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his 69th Independence Day speech which indicated the farm crisis the State was undergoing. Chief Minister said more than 189 farmers had committed suicides in July this year and he was worried over continued suicides of the farmers.
He said, “In 2015 April, May and June there were 39 deaths. In July, there were 182. The Karnataka Government is examining as to why this is happening. We are doing what we can to help with agriculture, horticulture, irrigation... Farmers face big challenges and we are working for them and also asking for help from the Central Government. I have visited the houses of farmers. So have other Ministers. We have enhanced the compensation to families of those who killed themselves from `1 lakh to `2 lakh.”
“These days, our farmers are in distress. The continuance of farmers’ suicides, has subdued my spirit to enjoy the celebrations of the Independence Day. The suicides happening despite the sincere efforts of his Government have pained me,” he added.
He said, “In the last two years, the number of suicides has been on the decline. Fifty eight farmers committed suicide in 2013, while 48 in 2014. During the months of April, May and June this year, the number of farmers’ suicide was 39. However, the number has suddenly gone up to 182 in the month of July. The Government is ascertaining the real cause for these cases, so that, corrective measures can be taken.”
Chief Minister felt the farmers’ suicides had been happening beyond their control and wanted support of the Union Government to address the issue. He said, “Our Government, through the budgetary mechanism, has given emphasis to agriculture, horticulture, agricultural marketing, water resources rural development and such other departments implementing schemes directed at improving the standard of living of farmers. This can be seen from the three budgets, I have presented so far.”
“The problem of farmers being huge cannot be addressed by the State Government alone. The Union Government needs to lend a helping hand. This issue needs to be responded rising above party affiliations. We have initiated steps to mitigate the miseries of the farmers towards this end. Even then, farmer suicides are happening due to factors beyond our control,” he added.
In his speech he further said as per the preliminary reports most of the farmers have committed suicide on account of not being able to repay their loans obtained from local money lenders and private financial institutions.
“The assistance provided to sugarcane growers is a testimony to the State Government’s concern towards the farming community. In order to fulfil the long standing demands of the sugarcane growers, the State Government has brought into operation the Karnataka Sugarcane (Regulation of Supply and Purchase) Act, 2013 to ensure competitive price for sugarcane.
He said the Sugarcane Control Board has fixed Rs 2500 per MT for sugarcane during 2013-14. With a view to pay a higher price for sugarcane growers, the Government has paid an incentive of Rs 150 per MT, additionally. An assistance of Rs 1520 crore has been given to sugarcane growers in the form of incentives and tax exemptions, which is unparalleled in the history by any State in the country.