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NHRC notice to Maharashtra, Centre over farmer suicides
Why it is in news?
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it had issued notices to the Central and Maharashtra governments over the suicide of 639 farmers in that State between March and May 2018.
- The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of media reports that said the Maharashtra government had informed the State Assembly that 639 farmers had committed suicide, and among the reasons cited were crop failure, debt and inability to pay back loans.
- Seeking detailed reports within four weeks, the NHRC issued notices to the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra government.
- The two officers were asked to provide details of the status of the implementation of schemes for the welfare of farmers.
- The Centre was expected to provide information about any plan it has to address the situation.
- The NHRC further observed that this was not the first time such a development had taken place and that it had been receiving complaints about farmer deaths across the country.
Observations of NHRC
- Committing suicide in such a large number is a serious matter as it involves the right to life of the victims. Their families also come under tremendous pressure due to the sudden demise of an earning member.
- The NHRC observed that despite the Centre and state governments announcing schemes for crop insurance and loan waivers, the farmers’ condition had generally remained the same.