The Hindu : Rythu Sangham to move HC over suicides

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Rythu Sangham to move HC over suicides

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Dec. 9. The AP Rythu Sangham will approach the High Court for securing a directive to the State Government to prevent suicide of farmers by taking remedial measures.

The general secretary of the Sangham, Kolli Nageswara Rao, and the secretary, K. Ramakrishna, told a press conference here today that the Sangham would simultaneously agitate for securing relief to the farmers in distress.

The two leaders demanded implementation of crop insurance for the benefit of the affected farmers by making suitable changes in the scheme, payment of ex-gratia at the rate of Rs. 2,000 an acre for crop loss and Rs. 1,000 an acre for those farmers who have not raised any crop and waiver of loans of farmers owning less than ten acres who lost crops during the last two years.

Mr. Rao sought scrapping of power dues and waters charges of farmers, completion on war-footing of irrigation projects for which foundations have been laid and payment of ex- gratia of Rs.1 lakh to the families of farmers who committed suicide.

He recalled that during the last five years over 1,500 farmers had ended their lives in the State. In the last one month, 15 farmers had committed suicide in Anantapur district alone.

He criticised the State Government for allegedly diverting Rs. 400 crores meant for irrigation projects for taking up rainwater harvesting pits. This amounted to neglecting irrigation projects necessary in the context of present water shortage facing farmers.

Mr. Ramakrishna said the Sangham would organise an all-party meeting in Anantapur on December 15 to discuss the farmers' suicides to exert pressure on the State Government to prevent them by them by rescuing the farmers who are in distress.

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