New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to
the Odisha government asking the latter to submit a report on incidents of farmers’ suicide
in the state within four weeks.
The NHRC has also asked the state government to inform about the steps
initiated by it for providing relief and rehabilitation to the
affected farmers’ families.
The commission took suo-motu cognizance of a media report that 12
farmers have committed suicide in 50 days in Bargarh district. The recent suicide committed by a farmer was reported on December 15. He was allegedly under tremendous pressure and took the extreme step due to crop loss and loan burden.
Expressing grave concern over such incidents, the commission said these indicate a serious situation amounting to violation of right to life of the poor victims and call for immediate measures on part of the state government.
The commission further observed that there have been a number of
cases of suicides by farmers and farm labourers across the country,
including in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala,
Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. It has been taking
cognizance of these matters and emphasising upon the Centre as well as
the concerned state governments to take immediate and effective steps
to understand the anguish of the poor farmers and ensure that due to
any action or inaction by state authorities, the grief-stricken
farmers are not forced to take the extreme step.
