NHRC notices to Centre, Maha govt over farmers' deaths due to infection caused by spraying pesticide on cotton crops

New Delhi: After 18 farmers' death was reported in media, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance on that issue on Monday. The Commission asked for detailed report within four weeks from the both Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra and the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

The Chief Secretary of the State Government has also been directed to ensure that the best treatment is being provided for free of cost to the farmers- who are either admitted to the hospitals or under medications as an out-patient.

The State also asked to inform about the steps taken to stop recurrence of such incidents and the action against the guilty officers. "The Commission expects the details of the ex-gratia relief paid to the victims and rehabilitation of the aggrieved families along with the policy perspective on the issue," an official statement of NHRC mentioned.

The farmers in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra had to be hospitalized, during the last three months, due to an infection, caused by spraying of a pesticide on the cotton crops. Reportedly, many have died, even as others are serious.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government announced an inquiry and the State Agriculture Ministry decided to distribute free of cost masks to the farmers as it claimed that they have not been following the directions for wearing gloves and protective clothing. The Maharashtra government also announced compensation of Rs. 12 lakh for the families of the victims.

NHRC also observed that most of the farmers in the country are not adequately literate and are relying on the government agencies for the safe use of the agricultural products and the ancillary techniques.

The victim farmers have fall prey to the callous and negligent attitude of the government departments, the Commission claimed. "It appears that due to the lack of proper awareness about such a complicated technology for spraying pesticides on cotton crops, the farmers' Rights to Life and Livelihood have been grossly violated," the official statement added further.