Maharashtra Govt. To Set Up Committees In Every Village To Curb Farmer Suicide

24 March, Mumbai

In an effort to curb farmer suicides, the Maharashtra government is planning to set up a 10-12 member committees in every village across the state.

Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse told the state Council Tuesday that the committee will have gram sevaks, doctors and educated people, who will take care of farmers and their families.

He said the committee will periodically visit farmers to gauge their mental condition and take immediate steps if something is found wrong. The committee will also help farmers with issues like taking loans and organising family marriage functions, etc.

Khadse further said that the government is considering a proposal, wherein not only farmers, but their entire families would be given insurance, and the premium could be paid by the government. The minister informed that a total of 17,645 farmers have committed suicides between 2001 and December 2014.