Rahul seeks solution to farmers' suicides in Wayanad

Stepping into the issues of his new constituency Wayanad in Kerala, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has urged the Kerala government to order a probe into a recent farmer suicide at Wayanad as well as to extend financial assistance to the family.

Rahul Gandhi, who spoke to the wife of the deceased over the phone, sent a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan the other day seeking interventions into the spate of farmer suicides at Wayanad.

DH reported on Friday that a series of issues, including the crisis in the agriculture sector leading to farmer's suicide, was awaiting the new MP of Wayanad. Rahul, who won with a thumping majority from Wayanad, is expected to come down to Wayanad soon.

Rahul urged in the letter to Kerala CM that long term measures to free farmers from debt traps need to be initiated. "On speaking with the deceased farmer V D Dinesh Kumar's wife Sujitha, I learnt that her husband was under severe stress due to his inability to repay loans and this pushed him to commit suicide. There have been a spate of farmer suicides in Wayanad due to inability to repay loans," said the letter.

Rahul said that considering the long term impact of last year's floods, it is crucial to take long term measure to free the farmer from debt traps. He also said that even as the Kerala government announced a moratorium on farm loans till December 31, loan collection agents were pressurising farmers.

Rahul also assured support to Kerala government in finding the solution and to ensure that farmers live with dignity.

Meanwhile, Vijayan sent a reply to Rahul seeking his support in raising the issue in Parliament. The banks are taking action against farmers under SARFAESI Act and hence the centre has to intervene. The Chief Minister also assured Rahul that an inquiry would be conducted into the farmer suicide and financial assistance would be given to the family.