Farm distress: Over 450 farmers committed suicide in Marathwada in past 6 months

Aurangabad:Altogether 458 distressed and panic stricken farmers from eight districts of the backward Marathwada region in Maharashtra have allegedly committed suicide by different means between January 1 to July 15, 2019, official sources from the Divisional Commissioner office said here on Saturday.

According to latest report, the highest numbers of 104 farmer suicides were reported in drought-prone Beed district while 20 suicides cases were reported in Hingoli district.

Out of 458 farmers who had committed suicides, 336 were found eligible for compensation and compensation was paid to the kins of 323 victims by the respective districts administration.

Whereas, claims in 91 cases were rejected following an official inquiry by the respective district administrations and the remaining 31 cases are still pending for inquiry, the report added.

It may be recalled that  the region has been reeling under severe drought condition from past one year and the current dry spell of rain is forcing farmers to take the extreme step.(UNI)