SC to examine policy to stop farmers' suicides

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to examine the policy and schemes of the Centre and the state governments to stop farmers’ suicides in the country, caused by debt or destruction of their crops.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N V Ramana sought responses from the Centre, state governments, Union Territories and the RBI within four weeks to scrutinise the reasons behind these suicides.

“The issue is sensitive and involves larger public interest. We call upon the Union of India, states and Union Territories to arrive at an effective conclusion of the matter through participation in the adjudicatory process,” the bench said.

A PIL, filed by NGO Citizens Resource and Action and Initiative, has sought an overhaul of the agriculture policy and provisions for adequate compensation for farmers during natural calamities.