The Hindu : 10 more taluks drought-hit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

10 more taluks drought-hit

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE Sept. 27. The State Government has identified 10 more taluks as drought-hit, taking the total number of such taluks to 140. The Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Vijay Gore, told presspersons here today that relief works were being closely monitored.

He said a proposal had been submitted to NABARD to take up the ninth phase of the development project, and hoped that it would be cleared soon.

Mr. Gore said till September 23, 310 cases of suicide involving farmers were reported.

A committee formed to look into them had taken up 246 cases and rejected 151 cases as the causes were not related to problems due to the drought.

He said compensation had been paid in 47 cases, and would be paid in 30 cases soon.

Farmer commits suicide

Our Hubli Special Correspondent writes:

With one more farmer from Mantur village in Mudhol taluk of Bagalkot district committing suicide on Friday, the toll has gone up to 87 in North Karnataka from April 1. It is said that Iranna Nanjundappa Hugar (35) had taken loans amounting of Rs. 1.40 lakh from a cooperative society and a nationalised bank to drill three borewells.

When his efforts failed, he committed suicide by hanging himself from a mango tree in his field. The Mudhol Police have registered a case on a complaint by Allavva, widow of Iranna.

Meanwhile, farmers who gathered at Unkal village in Hubli on Friday pledged not to commit suicide. The programme was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, the Rajiv Gandhi Yuvak Sangha, and others.

However, some farmers said such programmes would not bring relief to those in distress. If the Government had concern for farmers, it should waive the interest on farm loans.

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