Over three hundred farmers have committed suicides this year due to agrarian distress, with maximum cases reported from Maharashtra, Parliament was informed today.
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said Maharashtra government has reported 204 suicides by farmers till April 2014 due to agrarian distress.
Among other states, Telangana reported 69 suicides committed by farmers, Karnataka (19), Gujarat (3) , Kerala (3) and Andhra Pradesh (3).
"Agriculture including agricultural indebtedness being a State subject, State Governments take appropriate measures for development of agriculture sector in the State including payment of compensation to the bereaved families of suicide victims," the reply added.
The Minister also added that Centre supplements the efforts of states to help the bereaved families of farmers who committed suicide through appropriate policy measures and budgetary support.
Balyan also informed that Centre has taken several steps to revitalize the agriculture sector and improve the condition of farming community on a sustainable basis by increasing public investment, improving farm practices, rural infrastructure, extension and marketing, among others.
The current budgetary allocation for Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation is Rs 22,309 crore which has been finalized based on requirements of various schemes or programmes in consultation of planning commission, the reply added.
