MAHBUBNAGAR:The largest district in Telangana has been witnessing unabated farmers’ suicides this year.
Though the district administration has declared only 48 farmer suicides, farmers’ associations and opposition parties differ with these figures and claim that more than 100 ryots have took their life in the last 15 months. According to crime records, Jadcherla mandal in the district alone has recorded more than 15 suicides. With this, one can imagine what would be the situation in remaining 63 mandals across the district.
Vadla Shekar, state secretary, Bharatiya Janata Kisaan Morcha said: “More than 100 farmers have committed suicide in the district and the government has miserably failed in protecting the farming community. Rather than spending funds on unproductive activities, they should rescue farmers who are in deep distress.”
This year the monsoon has totally failed and almost all 64 mandals ofthe district are facing drought-like situation.
Aginst the average rain fall of 446.8 mm in the district, this year only 336 mm has been recorded. Normally monsoon is from June to September and farmers lose hope if the season fails by September.
As per statistics, for the past few years, September has become decisive for farmers and most suicides were committed in the month and people dub it as ‘Suicide September’.
Despite knowing this, the government has allegedly neither come forward to declare drought affected mandals nor come up with any preventive measures.
“The government is completely responsible for farmers deaths in the state. Despite the government having surplus funds, it has neither taken any steps to prevent the suicides nor has it taken any steps to help the farming community,” censured Revanth Reddy, TDP MLA, Kodangal.
Dr Mallu Ravi, ex MLA opined that the government should waive off Rs 8500 crores of farmers’ loans in one go. “The government has retracted its promise to completely waive off farmer’s loans and because of repaying loans in installments to the banks, farmers are facing problems in availing fresh loans in time,” he added.
Though, farmers’ suicide is not a new phenomenon, ryots’ hopes were high after the formation of Telangana. However, farmers say that they are losing hope in the government and taking extreme step.