Modi regime sees 42% rise in farmers’ suicide

Despite all the tall claims of launching farmer-centric schemes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, farmers’ suicides are increasing year after year in this regime. 

The rise in cases of farmers taking the extreme step has raised serious questions on the objectivity of all such schemes which are aimed at doubling farmer’s income, including Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, etc.

According to latest report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in the Modi regime the cases of farmers’ suicide have increased by 42 per cent as 8,007 farmers committed suicide in 2015 in comparison to 5,650 in 2014, while 4,595 farm workers ended their lives in 2015 in comparison to 6,710 in 2014. Though the numbers of deaths of farm labours, who have committed suicide due to indebtedness and problems in the sector, has reduced by 31 per cent, the rise in farmers’ death has raised alarm bell for the government.

According to the NCRB report, there were total 12,602 deaths in year 2015, in comparison to 12,630 deaths in 2014. Surprisingly, about 87 per cent farmers’ deaths have been reported from seven states which include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The report also stated about 73 per cent farmers who have ended their lives were having 2 care land or lesser than that. Notably, both the years – 2014 and 2015– were declared as drought affected due to acute rainfall.