Andhra admits to 20 farmers committing suicide in 40 days

Hyderabad, Aug 15 (ANI): The Andhra Pradesh Government has admitted that 20 farmers committed suicide in the state over the last 40 days.

The State Government, however, maintained that the actual reasons for the suicide were yet to be ascertained.

A communiqui issued by the Chief Minister's office, admitted the fact. It also states that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajashekhar Reddy has announced the compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the families of those who committed suicide.

Reddy has asked all the district collectors to work for the speedy distribution of the compensation and also to submit a report on the farmers' death to the State Government immediately.

The communiqui also criticized the opposition Telugu Desam Party for stating that 70 farmers have ended their lives because of drought.

Reddy has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to study the drought situation in the state and to recommend remedial measures. (ANI)