Sankaran attributes unprofitable cotton crop for farmers' suicides

Kolhapur, Feb 2 (UNI) Chief secretary D K Sankaran today attributed the unprofitable cotton crop as one of the causes of farmers' suicides in Vidarbha region and said the Maharashtra government has initiated various measures in order to reverse the situation.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Shankaran said the government had found that the farmers growing cotton were suffering huge losses due to various reasons.

He said the state government had decided to give priority to lower crop cultivation input, hike the final price of crops, create awareness among farmers about the usage of organic fertilizers and running of secondary business and priority to irrigation development works. This action would definitely help to prevent farmers' suicides.

The chief secretary said an investment of about Rs 34,000 crore was recorded in Western Maharashtra, while in Mumbai Rs 2.28 lakh crore investment was made on various projects undertaken through private parties and the flow of the investment continues.

He said the government was committed to develop infrastructure projects like water, roads and electricity. Efforts are being made to complete the pending irrigation project works on priority basis.

Referring to load-shedding, he said the government had resorted to this step due to shortage of electricity. To overcome this problem, the government has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for electricity generation with different parties and till the end of year 2008, the state will be free from the problem.

Mr Sankaran said Mumbai's development was very important for the nation's developmental growth, hence the Union government was extending all the necessary help and pointed out that due to rampant urbanisation, the government has directed all municipal corporations in the state to prepare their development plans and submit them to the government for necessary action before forwarding it to the Union government.

Referring to Special Economic Zones (SEZs), he said the SEZs are essential for the development of the state, but agricultural land should not be given for the development of SEZs.

UNI