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Debt ridden farmer attempts suicide at Chavan's rally,
critical
In a major embarrassment for Maharashtra's ruling Democratic Front
government, a debt-ridden farmer attempted suicide by consuming
poison during an election rally of Chief Minister Prithviraj
Chavan in Dhamangaon village, near here, Sunday. » |
Nagpur: A day after
four farmers committed suicide in Vidarbha, farmers of
Maharashtra's eastern region Thursday staged a road blockade on
two highways to press their demand of better support prices for
cotton, soya and paddy.
The four suicides take the toll of farmer suicides in the state to
722 in 2011 alone.
The protest also comes a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister
Prithviraj Chavan declared a bailout package worth Rs.2,000 crore
for the crisis ridden farmers of the state.
The farmers described the package as "a pittance".
"The farmers might settle for something that is close to their
losses. But a mere Rs.2,000 crore package is not even worth
peanuts," said Kishor Tiwari, president of Vidarbha Jan Andolan
Samiti (VJAS), an activist group working for cotton farmers'
rights in Vidarbha.
Supporting the agitation in a unique way were residents of
Ralegaon, a small village in Yavatmal district, 160 km from Nagpur.
Over 50 residents of the village shaved off their heads, stating
that they are undertaking the last rites of the government that is
"dead".
Several spots on the National Highway Nos. 6 and 7 saw agitating
farmers demand Rs.6,000 as the minimum support price for raw
cotton as against the market price of Rs.4,000 per quintal.
They also condemned the government for announcing a bailout
package which they said makes a mockery of the sad plight of
farmers.
Chavan announced the bailout package in the winter session of the
assembly Wednesday stating that farmers will be compensated on a
per hectare basis.
The four farmers who committed suicide are Ankush Raut of Wadki
and Ashok Bhongale of Bhamada in Yavatmal district, Ramrao Kamble
of Gaul in Wardha district, and Shriram Thege of Kesarwada in
Bhandara district.
"The shock of rejection of farmers' main demand to give hike to
support price in cotton, soya and paddy has reportedly led to
their suicide. A pittance of a bailout package added to their
depression," Tiwari said.
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