Farmer suicides: Karnataka CM directs ministers to meet

Amid a spurt in farmer suicides that have put the state government under opposition fire, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today directed all district in-charge ministers to visit the families of the deceased farmers during the weekend and sought a report on compensation extended to them.
There is a rise in incidents of farmer suicides in last two months and government has taken several steps to control it, the chief minister said in a letter to all district in-charge ministers.
Along with this, there is a need to meet the affected families and comfort them, Siddaramaiah said, as he came under attack from BJP and JDS over sudden rise in farmer suicide incidents, particularly in the sugarcane belt of Mandya district.

Several debt-ridden farmers have also set on fire their sugarcane fields as the mills have not paid dues to the growers. The suicide incidents have prompted a rattled government to order a crackdown on private money lenders who were taking advantage of the situation.
In his letter, Siddaramaiah said, "During this weekend all the district in-charge ministers are requested to meet the families of the farmers who have committed suicide in their districts and console them."
Also, ministers were asked to discuss about the compensation with the concerned officials and submit a report.

According to sources, Governor Vajubhai R Vala has reportedly written a letter to the government seeking a detailed report on increasing farmer suicides in the state.

Recently during the discussion on farmer suicides in the Assembly, opposition BJP had said that more than 50 farmer suicide incidents have been reported in the last two months.
Accusing government of not being serious about farmers' suicide, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar had said that "Chief Minister has not even visited farmers' families, but after reports emerging that Congress Vice President was planning to visit, he has decided to meet them."
Citing exorbitant interest rates on loans as the reason for farmer suicides, government had said that enforcement cells at district level will keep a check on private money lenders, with the help of police and revenue department.

Government had also said that it was working on bringing amendments to regulations that are in place to protect farmers from private money lenders.
Under pressure from farmers and the opposition, government had also promised that it would settle by July-end the outstanding dues worth Rs 923 crore payable to sugarcane farmers for 2013-14 marketing year in two installments.