CHENNAI: In a shocking and almost cruel move, the Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that not a single farmer committed suicide due to the ongoing drought in the state, but in face, died of “natural causes”. The SC was hearing a petition on drought and farmer suicides in the state, which alleged that there were 82 farmer suicides in the state. The state government said it had given Rs 300,000 each to the families.
Hurt by the government's statement, farmer associations said it was cruel of them to say there have been no suicides. They said the government had acknowledged 18 farmer suicides between November and end of January, and over a hundred deaths due to shock over crop loss. It had then directed the collectors to probe and provide relief. Member of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, B Dhandapani said, “The government telling the Supreme Court that no farmer committed suicide is a joke. Haven't they paid Rs 300,000 relief to families of those who died here? We condemn this.”
Philomena Mary, whose husband Antony Samy reportedly died of shock after his crop dried up in parched Nagapattinam, said she had three daughters to look after and she doesn't know what to do now. “The government gave up Rs 300,000, but it's not enough. We took loans and pledged our gold. I've to educate my children. My daughters have to be married. It would be nice if the government could help us.”
With a 60 per cent deficit in rainfall, Tamil Nadu is facing its worst drought in 140 years. All 32 districts have been declared drought-hit. Protesting farmers have been demanding a £4 billion drought relief package, farm loan waiver and setting up of the Cauvery Management Board by the centre.
