Farmers' suicide matter of grave concern

Puducherry, Dec 30: Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today said the farmers' suicide was a matter of grave concern and the agricultural sector should be rejuvenated by taking up various integrated rural development programmes.

Delivering the convocation address at the Pondicherry Central University here, Mr Shekhawat said the rural income has dwindled and farmers are becoming prone to stress and insecurity.

Stating that poverty eradication and overcoming under development should be the main agenda for a nation's development and progress, he said he had launched the Anthyodaya scheme, while he was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan in 1977, to uplift the poorest of the poor in the society.

He said the scheme could become an integral part of all public programmes meant for the poor.

UNI