Indebtedness not the only reason behind farmers' suicides: CM

Sangli, Maharashtra, Nov 13 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today reiterated that ''indebtedness'' was not the only reason behind the suicide by farmers in the state.

Unfortunately, this was the sole reason which was being projected, the Chief Minister said while speaking to reporters here.

It is wrong to create a picture that farmers were committing suicide because of indebtedness, he said.

Mr Deshmukh said suicides by farmers were restricted only to six districts in Maharashtra and, besides, the suicide rate in these districts was now reducing.

Referring to the Shetkari Sangathana's ongoing agitation demanding better price for sugarcane growers, Mr Deshmukh remarked that this was the demand put forth by the Shetkari Sangathana wheareas the actual growers had no complaints about the price.

The Chief Minister said the Sangathana should not attempt to disrupt the law and order situation by preventing sugarcane transporters from reaching the sugar mills. If it does so, the police will take necessary action, he said.

Mr Deshmukh said the State Government has fixed cane price at Rs 850 per tonne as first instalment, and if any sugar mill was willing to pay a higher price, the State Government will have no objection to it.

Regarding the poor condition of the district central cooperative banks and cooperative credit societies, Mr Deshmukh said the state expects around Rs 800 crore from the Centre for their revival after it approves the Vaidyanathan Committee report.

To a question, Mr Deshmukh said the State Government will decide on the abolition of octroi after receiving the report of the committee which had been appointed to study the issue.

UNI BBK MAZ PA ND1602