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Farmers’ suicide: kin meet Pawar

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: Children and wives of indebted farmers who committed suicide in Punjab had mixed feelings after they met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar here on Friday for about 30 minutes. The Minister said he would write to Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal about their demands. The children sought free education and farm loan waiver.

While young Dharmendra said he was “hopeful,” Jasmeet Kaur, the only elder relative who was allowed with the 12 children, was happy that they got an audience with the Minister but felt that he had only pushed the ball in the State government’s court.

“Let’s see what happens. He has said he will write to Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal. But I am not very hopeful,” she told The Hindu, adding that she was unable to relate her story personally.

In a memorandum submitted to Mr. Pawar, the Sangathan sought “secure livelihood” for the families that had lost a relative to indebtedness. It asked for ex gratia payment of Rs. one crore for each farmer who committed suicide.

Loan waiver

It sought total loan waiver, guaranteed procurement of farm commodities at remunerative prices, ban on import of wheat and on genetically modified seeds and foods.

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