Suicides worth 3750 Crores
Last week 3 more farmers committed suicide in Vidharba region. It sounds like routine news; but now this routine has climbed up and this figure now stands well above 14,000.
Back in school, most textbooks proudly told me that India is an Agricultural country. Then agriculture contributions almost equaled the GDP of the country. After our economy opened up, other sectors started adding up to the growth of India, but it seems that in process of nourishing new opportunities, we forgot the backbone of our economy - Agriculture.
From 2001 to 2006, over 14000 farmers from Maharashtra, Karnatake and Andhra Pradesh have committed suicides. Reason - Debts, High Cost of Seeds, Fertilizers, Power; and in between this all - their inability to take care of their family & responsibilities. Where is this all leading? The cost of farming has become so high that farmers are now giving up agriculture and trying to take up odd jobs.
What is the Government doing to address this? Instead of waiting for PM to come to Vidharbha and announce a relief packet, could they not waive off few Electricity Bills? Provide seeds & fertilizers at cheaper rates? Provide free primary education to farmer’s children? State Government has done their little bit, but that is not enough… knowing that we need a strong Agriculture base for a populous country like India.
But now Prime Minister has announced 3750 crore package for farmers in Vidarbha Region. It should be enough to clear off debts of over 3.75 Lakh farmers in Vidarbha (Assuming an average debt pay of Rs. 75,000 per farmer & possibly farmers gets another Rs. 25,000 for them to continue ahead in their occupation).
Knowing that this will or this should happen is not enough. Common Man wishes to know how and where every rupee of this 37,500,000,000 INR relief package was used.
Shouldn’t the Government to be transparent enough or do we need to seek information each time under the Right to Information Act?
Hi friends
check out this site if you are for Right to Information
http:/www.petitiononline.com/save_rti/
I”m FOR it!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi,
I also support this question, where is this 3000 crore gone ? and even where is money distributed post 26/7 gone ? The question should be asked through RTI and the account should be published in the news paper.
I am waiting for a day when we will get to read such information rather than scandals and scams of politicians…
I made a lot of interesting discoveries.. The package is just a waiver on the interest of the debts!! N most of the corporate banks are not willing to implement the waiver.For instance a certain bank has just reduced the rate of interest,instead of the complete waiver..the farmers still have to pay.Also,there is no single organisation binding these farmers..they remain divided amongst themselves,which is a major deterrent in bringing forth their problems.The agriculture ministry does not want the corporate sector to get into agri business(read reliance),coz it”ll affect the sugar barons in maharashtra.the middlemen are eating up the profits of the farmers coz 1.there are no fixed commodity prices. 2.the govt agencies incharge of procuring the produce have gone to the dogs. 3.Govt aint providing any alternative market/transparency in buy/sell transactions. Plus there was a shortage of urea recently.The middlemen stocked a lot of it n later sold it at a higher price!
the govt is generous enough to write off bad loans to the tune of more than 30,000 Crores to the industrial sector..but not willing to do the same to the farm community and in a consolation writes off the interest of 700 crores on the loans taken by them..wah wah..gr8..
vishal is right.. the question is how do they get into this debt? it doesnt come overnight, does it? natural calamities? well havent we had that before too? n surely it doesnt happen every year? instead of giving more loans, the government and other organisations should find a way to get the farmers to directlymarket their stuff. and take strict measures againist hoarding n other illegal activities..
Hey common man…Look..an opportunity..I”m going to vidharba tonite…God-willing,i”ll get to interact with a lot of farmers.Lets see what can be done !!
Transparency? Common man, are you dreaming? You are lucky that your blog doesn”t have the coverage to be read by a politician. You are in grave danger, mind you common man!
The problem with Vidharba farmers is not Debts my friend.Its the way the whole agricultural market has been structured by the rich.A farmer does not get his full amount when he sells his crop(mainly cotton n sugarcane)Its delivered to him in installments by the Govt.The other option is to sell it to the ”thekedars” who purchase it for a lower price n then stock it.people have also tried selling outside the state but its tedious n transportation costs much.they”ve shifted to smaller crops with less success as the govt does not have policies for them.The kin of the farmers are moderately educated n do not think agriculture as a good profession.Labour costs are hence too high.People are selling off land by converting it into plots for housing n using the capital as bribe for some filthy jobs.No major industries in vidharba…..
My moms a farmer…and you bet i”m gonna do something more than to just sit out here n write this blog.
There seems to be a conspiracy of neglecting agriculture, driving farmers to suicide and them giving the fertile lands to the investors, the industrialista who are going to make motor cars for the rich……Some day we will have to eat the plaza and the high rises as there will be nothing left to eat!
DEAR THE AMOUNT OF 3750 CR WILL NOT BE USED TO PAY OFF THE DEBTS OF FARMERS……….IT WILL BE USED TO PAY OFF THE BIG LOANS OF BIG SUGAR BARONS AND OTHER POLITICIANS IN THE STATE…WATCH OUT………
APPRECIATED.
DEAR…..ASK THEM ALSO WHERE IS THE 700 CR GIVEN BY THE PM LAST YEAR FOR FLOODING MUMBAI GONE……ABT 100 CR WAS PAID OFF TO THE AFFECTED……..BALANCE DOWN THE DRAIN ?
DO YOU KNOW THAT THE LAST YEARS FLOOD WAS CREATED TO AN EXTEND BY OPENING THE DAMS WITHOUT INFORMING THE PEOPLE…SO AS TO SEE THAT PEOPLE DIE….AND MONEY CAN BE POCKETED……..TRY TO FIND OUT THE FACT……..?