LENDING A HAND: Chief Minister distributing widow pension and sewing machines to the family members of farmers who committed suicide in Hassan district.

HASSAN: The Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy handed over a cheque of Rs. 10,000 to 47 families, gave widow pension to 24, old age pension to one, allowance to one physically challenged person, houses to 40, one tractor and one grain crusher to 115 families here on Monday. He also gave sewing machines to the families.

District in-charge Minister H.D. Revanna interacted with the family members of 144 families on January 12 and made note of their grievances.

Kumaraswamy interacted with families of farmers'. Some said they were thrown on the streets and their children had to discontinue education. Some wanted financial assistance for the marriage of their daughters.

The Minister said the one-time loan waiver was aimed at instilling confidence in farmers and to prevent them from committing suicide. The Centre has already released Rs. 50 lakh each to the district administration under the Vidharba package to six districts in the State including Hassan.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioner K.H. Aswathanarayana Gowda to list details of requirements family-wise and send it to him. Education of their children would also be taken care of, the Minister added. A total of 144 farmers committed suicide between 2003-04 (April 26, 2003) to 2006-07 (up to October 24, 2006). This included 10 in Alur taluk, 18 in Arakalagudu taluk, 34 in Arsikere taluk, 13 in Belur taluk, 25 in Chennaraypatna, 28 in Hassan, five in Holenarsipur and 11 in Sakleshpur taluk. Compensation of Rs. 1 lakh was given in 30 cases. In rest of the cases, farmers committed suicide even though bankers did not issue any notice. They committed suicide, as they were not able to clear the loans they had availed.

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