Bengaluru: Rattled by a spate of farmers’ suicides across the state, the Karnataka government is setting up a committee to recommend steps for improving their lot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Sunday.
“The committee, headed by eminent agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, will study problems faced by our farmers and recommend measures to improve their quality of life,” Siddaramaiah told reporters at a village in Mandya district, about 100km from Bengaluru.
As the legislature’s monsoon session is underway, the chief minister said he will on Monday, announce in the assembly the committee’s details, including names of its other members, terms and deadline for submitting its report.
“Bailing out distressed farmers and improving their welfare is our priority, as they contribute to the rural economy and help in achieving food sufficiency. As a farmer’s son, I know the problems of farming,” he said.
A day after addressing farmers through a radio programme “Dil ke Baat” on Saturday, the chief minister reiterated that there was no grave cause or reason for them to end their precious lives.
About 70 farmers have committed suicide across the state during the last four weeks for various reasons spanning from rising debt burden, mounting arrears from sugar mills, non-remunerative prices and pressure from unscrupulous moneylenders for paying up loans taken at higher interest rates.
