Farmers' suicides continue unabated in Vidarbha

Yavatmal, Maharashtra, Mar 25 (UNI) As many as 22 debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide in different parts of Vidarbha region in recent times, taking the death toll to 395 since June last, claims a non-governmental organisation Jan Andolan Samiti.

Sucides deaths by farmers have continued unabated in the region despite the visit by two fact-finding committees to the region and the State Government's announcement of a special Rs 1,070 crore package, the organisation has claimed.

Noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande had also led a delegation, which had apprised Prime Minister Manmomah Singh of the situation in the region.

National Agriculture Commission chairman Dr M S Swaminathan had led a four-member committee to the region for an on-the-spot survey.

The committee has submitted a report to the Union Government recommending a minimum support price of Rs 3,000 per quintal for cotton and imposition of high import duty on cotton being imported from abroad.

A committee, headed by Planning Commission advisor Adarsha Mishra, had also visited the region.

UNI XR-NNG MAZ SC KN2216