Karnataka’s Sugarcane Development and Agricultural Produce Market Committees(APMC) Minister said that there is a sudden increase in the number of farmers committing suicide due to the compensation hike, increased up to Rs 5 lakhs, given to the family of the deceased has sparked a controversy.
Patil, who also serves as the in-charge minister for Haveri district, said, “Farmer suicides in the state have seen a significant rise since the government’s decision to increase compensation for the families of those who passed away after 2015.”
“If such compensation is not provided, they may resort to other means. Before 2015, the compensation was considerably lower, and cases of suicide were fewer because families didn’t receive adequate compensation. However, since we increased the compensation to Rs 5 lakh after 2015, there have been more reports of farmer suicides. It’s natural for people to seek compensation, and in some cases, individuals may falsely report natural deaths as suicides in their pursuit of financial assistance,” Patil said.
Patil’s controversial statement regarding farmers’ suicide drew a sharp reaction from several farmer organizations, Mallikarjun Ballari, general secretary, the district unit of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, and Hasiru Sene demanded the minister’s resignation and shot back: “We will pay Rs 50 lakh compensation to your family; will you commit suicide?”
As per the sources, farmers demanded Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to sack the minister for his ‘irresponsible’ comment.
In the view of widespread outrage Patil taking back his words said, “I did not make any statement to hurt the sentiment of farmers,” he said. “I was only advising members of the media, in the larger interest of the community, to be responsible and wait for the FSL report before reporting farmer suicides.”
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