12 farmer suicides reported from Marathwada and Vidarbha amid drought and debt in Maharashtra
Eight cases are from Marathwada and four from Vidarbha, as the state declared drought in 265 tehsils on September 26.
Twelve cases of farmer suicides have been reported from Marathwada and Vidarbha in Maharashtra amid drought and crop loss. According to available reports, eight of the farmers are from Marathwada and four from Vidarbha. Deaths by drinking pesticide and by hanging have been mentioned.
Rainfall has been low for some time, affecting standing crops in many areas. Kharif crops, especially soybean, have been damaged, and the financial crisis facing farmers has deepened. Along with crop loss, the pressure of debt is adding to their difficulties.
On September 26, the state government declared drought in 265 tehsils, roughly three-fourths of the state's tehsils. The government based its decision on the deficit in rainfall and other indices. Ninety-five tehsils of Vidarbha are on the drought-affected list, while a large number of tehsils in Marathwada have also been declared drought-affected.
In Marathwada, cases have come from districts including Nanded, Hingoli, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Latur. In Nanded district, Prakash Rathod of Nanda Khurd in Bhokar tehsil and Ghanshyam Kadam of Ambesangvi in Loha tehsil died during treatment. In Hingoli district, Tanaji More of Brahmanwada in Aundha tehsil also died during treatment.
The deaths of Vijay Bachate of Murumkheda in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district and Digambar Rathod of Rampura Tanda in Kannad tehsil have also come to light. In Latur district, the deaths of Tukaram Muje of Deshkara in Ahmedpur tehsil and Mudagya Kumbhar of Sakol in Shirur Anantpal tehsil have been reported.
In Vidarbha, four cases have come from Yavatmal, Buldhana, Akola and Washim districts. They include Sadashiv Kohle of Ralegaon in Yavatmal district, Punjabrao Ramekar of Ruikhed Mayamba in Buldhana tehsil, Satish Patond of Gajipur in Akola district and Nilkanth Saraf of Amani in Malegaon tehsil of Washim district.
After the declaration of drought, assessment of crop loss and relief measures have begun in the affected areas. The government has announced measures such as restructuring of crop loans, relief in recovery of agricultural loans and concessions in electricity bills for farm pumps. Instructions have also been given to conduct panchnamas of the damage.
The challenge before the administration now is to ensure that relief reaches the affected farmers, and that water, fodder and the help needed for the coming rabi season are also provided.
