K'taka unhappy with Centre's package to curb farmers' suicide

A day after Union finance minister P Chidambaram revealed that the Centre intends to implement a comprehensive farmers' relief package in four states, including Karnataka, the state government has identified certain "lapses" in preparing the package.

"The package, aimed at curbing the suicide rate among the farming community, has many loopholes. Karnataka will not accept the package unless certain changes are made. The government will take a delegation to the prime minister next week to discuss the issue," agriculture minister Bandeppa Kashampur told Business Standard on Tuesday.

The state government's contention is that districts which registered a large number of suicides, have not been included in the package.

"I am appalled to learn that the Centre has shortlisted six districts where the suicide rate is low when compared to others. I was informed that the basis for the selection of the districts is the report prepared by the Union home ministry, which has erred at several stages," he contended.

"According to our information, Mandya, Bidar, Raichur, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Koppal districts witnessed the largest number of farmers' suicide. But they do not figure in the list," he said.

Belgaum, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Hassan and Kodagu districts have been shortlisted by the Centre for the package.

"The Centre has picked only one district (Belgaum) from North Karnataka, which recorded the highest number of suicides. Besides, the migration of farm labourers from North Karnataka is still on. Three districts from the Malnad region have been included. But the suicide rate in this region is low," he pointed out.

The main criteria for the selection of the districts was that the suicide rate had to cross the double digit mark (10). "If this yardstick is applied to Karnataka, all districts in the state barring three should qualify for the package. There is a lack of clarity in the Centre's approach," Kashampur said.

Apart from Karnataka, the package will be implemented in neighbouring Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The package includes farm loan at a lower interest rate, health and life insurance to farmers, livestock insurance and better marketing facility for agriculture produce. In all, 34 districts from the four states will be considered for the package.

"We will recommend for inclusion of another 10 districts which witnessed high suicide rates. A meeting will be convened this week by the chief minister," the minister said.