Farmer Suicides in Drought-hit Marathwada Double From Last Year

Farmers commit suicide in drought-hit Marathwada, taking the annual death toll to 1,109, double the number last year.

A farmer walks with his hungry cow through a parched field. (Photo: Reuters)

In drought-hit Marathwada, 112 farmers have committed suicide this month, taking the annual death toll to 1,109, according to a report by The Indian Express.

The death toll this year is more than double the number last year. The information comes even as Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh spoke about the Centre’s communication to the states about the situation.

Gopinath Munde’s daughter, Pankaja Munde, is from the Beed district constituency that has recorded the highest number of suicides – 299.

• 112 farmers committed suicide.
  
• Total death toll in 8 districts of Marathwada: 1,109.
  
• Every week 20-30 suicides reported in 8 districts.
  
• 35 suicides were registered in the second week of December.
• Beed district records the highest number with 299 suicides.
  
• Nanded follows with 187 suicides.
  
• Osmanabad stands third with 160 suicides
  
• Aurangabad is at the fourth spot with 139 suicides.
  
• Of the 1,109 suicides, 698 families are eligible for government compensation.
  

“Actually, Rs 1 lakh compensation has already been given to 698 families,” officials said.

Moreover, they did say that the farmers committed suicide, however the reason was either illness or family problems.

<p>The government is providing everything to the farmers from food grains, seeds, financial assistance, expert advice, insurance cover to counselling. Yet, the suicide rate has failed to come down. We have selected Osmanabad for the zero suicide plan. We hope we will succeed here so that the plan could be replicated in other districts.</p>

<p>Umakant Dhangat, Divisional Commissioner, Beed</p>

Marathwada has seen less than 50 per cent rainfall leading to the entire 7.60 hectare land being affected. Nanded has 89 smaller dams and two bigger ones, but the level of water falls short of providing drinking water supply.

The government is now planning to implement a “zero suicide plan” in Osmanabad, according to Umakant Dhangat, Divisional Commissioner, Beed.