Andhra, Telangana delegation urge steps to prevent farmers' suicides

In the wake of farmers' suicides in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Wednesday urged Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to take steps to prevent such incidents.

Dattatreya, along with a delegation from the two states, met Radha Mohan Singh here to apprise him about the problems being faced by farmers in the region.

"Severe drought prevailed in both the states (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh). Farmers' suicide has increased manifold," read a letter submitted to the agriculture minister by the delegation.

The delegation requested the minister to send an official team to "ascertain the reason for the farmers's suicide" and take "necessary steps" to prevent such suicide.

The delegation also urged the agriculture minister to introduce pro-farmers insurance policy, increase of minimum support price and linking the NREGA scheme to agricultural operations as well.

Besides, the agriculture ministers's support was sought for establishment of cotton research centre at Warangal, maize research centre at Karimnagar, turmeric research centre at Armur and horticulture research centre at Srikakulam.

The delegation also requested the minister to visit Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to boost confidence among the farmers of the two states.