2.90 lakh farmers committed suicide during 1995-2011: Govt

The minister quoted the data from the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) latest annual report on suicides,the ADSI-2011 (Accidental Death and Suicides in India).

“Causes of suicides across professional categories mentioned in ADSI include family problems,illness,drug abuse addiction,unemployment,property dispute,bankruptcy or sudden change in economic status,poverty,” the minister said.

Rawat informed the House that other reasons mentioned in the report for committing suicides are “professional/career problem,love affair,barrenness/impotency,cancellation/non settlement of marriage,dowry dispute,fall in social reputation,causes not known,etc.”

According to government data,152 farmers have committed suicide in the current year due to agrarian reasons against a total of 14,027 farmers in 2011.

Rawat said the government has taken several steps to revitalise agriculture sector and improve condition of farmers.

“Implementation of rehabilitation package covering 31 districts in Andhra Pradesh,Karnataka,Kerala and Maharashtra under which an amount of Rs 19,998.85 crore has been released till September 30,2011,” the minister added.

Implementation of Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme,2008,which benefitted about 3.69 crore farmers,involving debt waiver/relief of Rs 65,318.33 crore,he said.