Seven distressed farmers ended their lives in Vidarbha in the past 48 hours, taking the toll of farmers who have committed suicides this year to 136.
According to Nagpur-based Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), three victims were from Amaravati district and one each from Bhandara, Nagpur, Yavatmal and Washim districts.
In January 2008, the number of suicides in Vidarbha was reported to be 80. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was to visit Gondia in Vidarbha on February 9, about 18 months after his first visit to the region during which he had announced a special Rs 3,750 crore relief package. However, the tour was called off at the last hour due to the demise of renowned social leader Baba Amte.
Singh had addressed a farmers’ rally at Ahmednagar on the previous day in Maharashtra, at which he had conceded that more than 2,000 farmers committed suicide last year, highest in the history of agrarian crisis.
He had also said that the Centre was considering a proposal for farm loan waiver for distressed farmers, although no decision has been taken yet.