SMK wants Veeresh panel report on farmer suicides implemented

Former chief minister S M Krishna said on Friday that the government should implement the recommendations of the Veeresh committee report on preventing farmer suicides.

He was speaking to reporters after a visit to the homes of seven farmers who have ended their lives in recent times. Krishna said that the present situation would not have arisen if governments after that of his had taken steps to prevent farmer suicides. He could not implement the report as he lost power soon after the report was submitted.

Farmers’ contact centres which were started during his tenure had failed to serve their purpose, he said, suggesting that the government should strengthen them. He said that the government should act tough against sugar factories that have defaulted on paying dues to farmers who have supplied sugar cane. At the same time, it should take into account the problems of the factories. The former chief minister said that the government should take steps to reopen sugar factories that are defunct. The Centre and the state government should together find a solution to the crisis facing farmers.

Krishna will visit the homes of deceased farmers for two more days. On Friday, he distributed a compensation of Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of the deceased farmers. Krishna is set to submit a report to the government regarding his visits.