Gorhe demands helpline for farmers

Shiv Sena MLC Dr Neelam Gorhe today demanded a helpline for farmers to prevent them from commiting suicides in Maharashtra.
Speaking during a discussion in the state Legislative Council here, Gorhe also said the government should set up a task force to help the families of farmers who have committed suicide.
Gorhe alleged that the style of banks functioning was "inhuman" and against the welfare of farmers, who suffer due to technicalities. There should be a dedicated helpline where the distressed farmers or their family members can receive counselling and advice, she suggested.
Referring to the secretary-level committee appointed by the state government for distribution of aid to farmers, Gorhe said, "The government must instruct the secretaries to meet the local legislators when they are touring the area and they should heed the suggestions given by MLAs."

She also said the state government should form groups of ten villages each, and set up a system at the collector's office whereby the problems of these groups of villages related to revenue, agriculture, cooperative, water resources and rural development and other departments could be dealt with.
"The eight districts in Marathwada region are facing acute drought. Half of the over two-crore population in these districts is dependent upon agriculture," she said.
"More than 40 percent of the population depends on wells, handpumps and tankers for drinking water. There is a need to make 10 percent cut in water supply (from Jayakwadi project) and the government has to take decisions in time," Gorhe said.