Bengaluru: Based on the recommendations of a committee headed by the assistant commissioner, the state government will pay an enhanced compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the kin of the deceased farmers with effect from April 1, 2015, said Minister for Co-operation, H S Mahadev Prasad on Wednesday. 
Speaking to reporters, the Minister clarified that according to government records, 580 farmers have ended their lives since April. Of these cases, 168 cases were listed to receive Rs 2 lakhs as compensation. These families would get an additional Rs 3 lakh each from their respective district administration soon.
“Not all 500 plus farmers are eligible to get Rs 5 lakhs as relief, as it will be decided by a committee headed by the assistant commissioner. In Haveri district, out of 51 suicide cases, 20 cases were rejected by the committee. The same yardstick will be applicable even to the widow pension scheme,” he added.
Replying to a question, the minister said that the government is planning to change the guidelines to ensure adequate ex-gratia to farmers who take others land on contract for farming, and have committed suicide due to crop loss. Under the existing law, such farmers were not eligible.
The Chief Minister had directed the officials concerned to amend the rules so that no genuine farmers were denied relief. “Payment of relief to families of farmers who committed suicide has been delayed for want of FSL reports. The district administration has been asked to complete an inquiry into farmers’ suicide cases as early as possible for quick disbursement of the relief amount”, he informed.
He added that the government has agreed to waive the interest on long, medium and short term crop loans borrowed from co-operative banks to bail out farmers who were in distress.
This would cost Rs 220 crore to the state exchequer but would benefit 2.10 lakh farmers who have borrowed Rs 536 crores. To avail this benefit, farmers must clear loans before March 31, 2016. The government might extend the repayment period by two to three months in case of failed crops. However, there was no proposal before the government for complete waiver of crop loan as it would be a huge burden on the state exchequer.
The state government had to clear dues of Rs 600 crore to co-operative banks following waiver of Rs 25,000 borrowed by each farmer under a scheme announced by the previous BJP government.
