Survey to identify distressed farmers in cotton belt

8216;8216;We have seen that despite spending over Rs 1,000 crore till date, number of suicides hasn8217;t decreased. So, we have started this survey. We will then apply some quick-fix solutions to avert the crisis in those cases from deteriorating further. The help could be rendered from general schemes that already exist or through special schemes that could be formulated as per the need,8217;8217; Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation, K S Vatsa, told The Indian Express. He said the survey plan was not part of the original package.

The package includes general schemes life refund of the farmers8217; savings with the government against procurement of their cotton, restructuring of loans up to Rs 25,000, moratorium on loan recovery, rebate in loan interest upon timely refund, encouragement to organic farming, watershed development, and counselling to distressed families. However, it has failed to stop farmers from committing suicide.