Massive Farmer Suicides Raise Alarms in Maharashtra: 766 Lives Lost in 3 Months
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New Delhi: In a shocking revelation, NCP-SCP MP Fauzia Khan has highlighted the alarming rate of farmer suicides in Maharashtra. According to Khan, a staggering 766 farmers have taken their lives in the last three months alone. This tragic figure has led Khan to question the government's commitment to supporting the agricultural community. Khan raised the issue during a crucial debate in the Rajya Sabha, citing the state government's admission that 676 families of the deceased farmers received aid, while 200 were denied assistance. The MP also pointed out discrepancies in data, with the state Agriculture Minister stating that 14.36 lakh hectares were affected across 19 districts, but the report sent to the Centre mentioning only 1,10,309 hectares. Khan emphasized that this is not a routine seasonal setback, but a massive agricultural disaster affecting lakhs of farmers. She argued that the current crop insurance framework remains inadequate, leaving many farmers vulnerable. The MP's question to the government is clear: when will farmers become a priority, and not just a statistic? The Union Agriculture Minister's response to the Lok Sabha, stating that no additional aid was sought from the Centre, has only added to the concerns. The allocation of ₹4,176 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund, with ₹3,180 crore from the Centre, has raised questions about the effectiveness of the relief efforts. As the numbers paint a grim picture, Khan's question echoes the sentiments of many: when will the farmers become dear to the government?
