A report from the divisional commissioner's office has disclosed a distressing surge in farmer suicides in Marathwada, with 1,088 cases reported in 2023. This represents a concerning increase of 65 compared to the previous year, an official said
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A report from the divisional commissioner's office has disclosed a distressing surge in farmer suicides in Marathwada, with 1,088 cases reported in 2023. This represents a concerning increase of 65 compared to the previous year, an official said.
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Breaking down the figures, Beed recorded the highest number with 269 farmer suicides, followed by 182 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 175 in Nanded, 171 in Dharashiv, and 103 in Parbhani. Additionally, Jalna, Latur, and Hingoli reported 74, 72, and 42 suicides, respectively.
Comparatively, the year 2022 witnessed 1,023 farmer suicides in Marathwada, encompassing districts such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Hingoli, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, and Parbhani.
In response to these distressing statistics, the administration conducted a thorough investigation into each case. Ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh was disbursed to the families in eligible cases, according to official statements.
Out of the total 1,088 cases reported in 2023, 777 were deemed eligible for ex-gratia, and this financial aid has already been provided. However, an additional 151 cases are currently under inquiry.
On July 2023, a report prepared by former Divisional Commissioner Marathwada, Sunil Kendrekar warned that around 1 lakh farmers in Marthwada alone were contemplating suicide due to crop losses and other financial issues.
Kendrekar's report came after he conducted a survey of 10 lakh farmers in Marathwada, a chronic drought-prone zone where on an average at least one farmer ends his life daily.
Among those surveyed, more than 1 lakh or 1,005785 to be exact farmers said they were frustrated and were thinking about ending their lives over issues like debt, failure of crops due to drought and unseasonal rains, lack of prices for crops and having no money to run the household or getting their daughters married.
The report also slotted another close to 3 lakh farmers in the sensitive category meaning their financial condition too was not great.
The survey also found out that since 2012 to 2022 period, 8,719 farmers suicides have taken place in Aurangabad alone. The survey done of the family members claimed that 923 farmers of this list had killed themselves over failure of their crops, 1494 farmers killed themselves due to having debt and unable to repay it. 4,371 farmers killed themselves for having debt as well as failure of their crops, while 1929 farmers ended their lives as they were unable to repay two debts. (With inputs from agencies)
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