Farmer suicides in Gujarat go up to 11

One more farmer committed suicide in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat bringing the total number to suicides to 11 in the last one month in the state, sources said. However, the Gujarat government said it is extending help to farmers in the scarcity-hit regions.

At a press interaction, Bharatiya Janata Party chief R C Faldu remarked, "Lets assume if the son of a farmer doesn’t take up farming as his profession and instead does some other business and if he fails in it and commits suicide because of that failure,  then it is his destiny."

He went on to say that in neighbouring Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, farmers are committing suicide in thousands.

Congress opposition

In an election year, the Congress has opposed the controversial statement and also announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the families of the farmers who had ended their lives. Shaktisinh Gohil, leader of opposition, said: "It is shocking that at a time when farmers are committing suicides such statements are being made.

The party should apologise to the people and initiate concrete steps to save farmers instead."

No fodder

Dinesh Mokariya, 45, a farmer in Keshod village consumed poison on Tuesday night reportedly upset over his failed crop and non availability of cheap fodder for his cattle.
Jayram Mokariya,  Dinesh's brother, said: "My brother had gone to get fodder for the cattle in the morning but the private suppliers were selling it at an exorbitant price. Upset that he could not buy the fodder he took the extreme step."

The Saurashtra region in Gujarat has been hit hard by bad monsoon.  The region has recorded 92 per cent deficient rainfall with the groundnut and cotton crops being badly hit.