IPS officers' wives turn samaritans to farmers' widows

Yavatmal, Maharashtra, Nov 29 (UNI) The widows of debt-ridden farmers in Vidarbha region have finally found solace in the form of the wives of IPS officers of Maharashtra cadre.

The IPS Officers' Wives Association (IOWA) have come out to help these women whose husbands, all farmers, had committed suicide, being unable to repay the loans.

The IOWA has sent a consignment of 200 blankets and 80 quintals of rice to these widows in Yavatmal district earlier this week, according to Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), a voluntary organisation working for farmers in the region.

The association, led by Vandana Roy, wife of Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) A N Roy, despatched the material by train from Mumbai, a VJAS press release said.

The material was unloaded at Badnera railway station and sent by road to various villages in Pandharkawada and Ghatanji tehsils of the district, the release added.

The association has also proposed to send utensils, sewing machines and computers to these women, VJAS said, adding that Mrs Roy has also planned to extend financial assistance for the education and marriage of their daughters.

A delegation of the association planned to visit the suicide belt of Vidarbha shortly, to examine ways of giving further assistance to the bereaved families, the release stated.

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