Farmers' suicides in Andhra Pradesh

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: For the first time since he became Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy came out with the revelation about farmers' suicides in the state.
He finally admitted that as many as 2890 farmers committed suicide in the state since May 2004 when he took over reigns for the first time.
“We have taken every possible measure to help the farmers. But obviously their lot has not changed for the better,” the Chief Minister said.
“All along, we have been thinking only about improving agriculture production and productivity and not about improving farmers’ income. This left the farmers depressed,” the Chief Minister pointed out, while analyzing the reason for suicides.
Andhra Pradesh ranked only next to Maharashtra in the number of farmers’ suicides.
Rajasekhara Reddy recalled the assurance he had given to farmers while taking charge as the Chief Minister for the first time on May 14, 2004. “From today, not a single farmer in the state will be forced to commit suicide for whatever reason. This is a farmer-friendly government and we will take every step to improve your conditions,” Rajasekhara Reddy promised even as he signed the first file offering free power supply to the agriculture sector.
Now, the Chief Minister revealed that 1031 farmers committed suicide between May and December 2004.
“This was largely because of the earlier impact when thousands of farmers ended their lives during the Telugu Desam Party rule. However, the number of suicides fell to 631 in 2005, 530 in 2006, 427 in 2007 and 267 in 2008. This year, the number came down to a mere four till May,” the Chief Minister said and rebutted opposition criticism that more than 7500 farmers committed suicide under his regime.
Rajasekhara Reddy claimed that every possible measure was taken to prevent farmers’ suicides. A special economic package was offered to the kin of farmers who ended their lives while their debts were also rescheduled. The loan waiver announced by the Government of India also benefited the farmers while the state government too offered a Rs 5000 incentive to those who promptly repaid the loans.
Besides, the state government’s free power supply scheme helped each farmer save Rs 15,000 per year.
All these claims, however, proved hollow, given the fact that so many had to end their lives. SHAME!