Remove irrigation backlog, make farmers self-reliant: Krishna

Yavatmal, June 22 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna today called for removing the irrigation backlog and encouraging farmers in the Vidarbha region to be self-reliant in agriculture.

Mr Krishna, who is on a two-day tour of the Vidarbha to reveiw the situation in the region where poor farmers have committed suicides, arrived here last night and visited Yavatmal today.

Addressing a meeting of the government officials in Amravati division, he said the irrigation backlog in this division has been increasing and priority has to be given to clear it.

''A secondary business is needed to add to the earnings of the farmers and we have to find out such sources to encourage them,'' he said.

Expressing grave concern over the reported suicides by a number of farmers in the Vidarbha, Mr Krishna advised the officials to visit the residences personally and provide succour to them.

As soon as Mr Krishna arrived at Soengaon village in Kalamb taluka of the Yavatmal district, he visited the residence of Raju Kawadu Patil, a farmer who committed suicide, and met the family members.

The family members of the deceased farmers should be given fresh loan and irrigation facilities by the concerned authority, he added.

UNI NNG SSS MIR KP1908