WB Governor counters Mamata on farmers' suicide

Countering Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claim that no farmers have committed suicides, West Bengal Governor MK Naryanan on Monday said government should find a way out to prevent recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.

"Farmers' suicide is an issue engaging the attention of both the Centre and the state government. I think farmers suicides are unfortunately taking place. We need to find ways and means to ensure that this does not happen,” Narayanan said, adding, “Many of them (farmers) I suppose are deeply in debt.”

Governor's comment came days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refuted reports about farmers committing suicide in the state claiming the suicides were not linked to farm debts.

"Twelve persons died due to some disease and they were not connected to farming, while reports said that some others took heavy loans from banks for personal purposes," Banerjee said earlier.

About 22 farmers have reportedly taken their lives in the first eight months of the Mamata Banerjee government.

While as many as 15 suicides were reported in Bardhaman district, known as the state's rice bowl, suicides have also occurred in Bankura, Hooghly, Malda and Jalpaiguri districts.

Both, alliance partner Congress and the opposition Left Front, has blamed the Trinamool-led government for the mismanagement of agriculture in the state.

It has been alleged that the farmers are not getting the minimum prices of the products fixed by the central government.

However, Banerjee was firm on her claim and later in the day said, "Whoever is committing suicide, it is being told that the person was a farmer. Only one farmer has committed suicide so far."

Meanwhile, commenting on crib deaths in the state, Narayanan said, “Baby deaths is a concern. I know the chief minister is personally looking into it. Steps need to be taken but things won't happen overnight.”

West Bengal Bengal Governor M K Narayanan had sent out strong message to the state administration earlier too following reports of attacks being made on college principals in different parts of the state and called for action against the attackers.