Central team for monetary assistance

Kalpetta, Kerala, June 8 (UNI) A Central team today directed Wayanad Collector to grant immediate monetary assistance to families of 18 farmers, who committed suicide following crop failure in the district.

Talking to newspersons after visiting the houses of 21 debt-ridden farmers, who committed suicide during the last few months in the district, Planning Commission Advisor R Bandhopadhya, heading the team, said the delegation would submit its report to the government in 15 days for early necessary action.

The team would discuss the issue with Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan before submitting the report, he said.

He said the team would also discuss with the state ministers in Kozhikode tomorrow, the problem faced by the farmers in the state and steps to be taken to resolve the crisis.

The families visisted included that of Kallupadi Elavungal Damodaran (54), who allegedly committed suicide last night following his failure to repay Rs two lakh loan taken from four different financial institutions.

Two other farmers -- Stanley John (42) of Thiruvananthapuram and Kodenchery Thottumkuzhi Kudippara Thomas (68) of Kozhikode -- also resorted to the extreme steps allegedly of the same reason on the eve of the Central team's visit to find out their problems.

Other team members included advisors B C Munda (Agriculture) and State Plans Director Saddamathe.

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