Examine how best problems of farmers can be solved: HC to govt

The Madras High Court today directed Tamil Nadu government to examine with the assistance of experts to see how best the problems of farmers can be reduced, including the issue of credit assistance to them and relief when the nature fails.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam, gave the direction on a PIL by "Elephant" G Rajendran, an advocate, seeking direction to the government to pay a minimum of Rs 20 lakh to the family of a farmer who commits suicide and to provide job.
After perusing an affidavit filed by the government, the bench in its order said "a perusal of the counter affidavit shows that the state government is quite conscious of the problem though there can always be scope for improvement, for which the petitioner can make suggestions."

Rajendran in his PIL addressed about the starvation deaths and suicides among farmers due to the failure of paddy cultivation in the year 2003 in the districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, and Thiruvarur.
He contended that invention of new scientific systems for farmers is required as food is a basic necessity and a dissatisfied farmer community would always have the possibility of creating food shortage.
He submitted that various methodologies are adopted by countries having agriculture as a main source of revenue by providing requisite seeds and fertilisers at subsidised rates to agriculturists.

Scientific methods are being used to reduce the impact of natural changes, he submitted.

The government may give urgent consideration to these aspects with the assistance of experts to advise a proper scheme for the farmers, he submitted.
The government submitted that the assistance is provided through various schemes and special packages to the farmers.
It was also stated that fertilisers have been given in subsidised rates.