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End of honeymoon?
THE REGIME of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy started off on an aggressive note, by signing the file permitting free power to farmers, an election promise that was vehemently opposed and even ridiculed by his rivals. But the honeymoon seems to be hurtling towards an early end. Though happy with free power, the farmers are not satisfied with their mountain-high debts and the number of related suicides is steadily rising. No amount of relief packages announced by the new government has so far been able to stem the spate of suicides. The helpline is flooded with distress calls from debt-ridden farmers.
Even as a special committee was deliberating on how apply a brake to the suicides, the National Human Rights Commission hauled up the State government for the delay in taking adequate steps to prevent them, despite it recommending a comprehensive package for relief and development of the victim families.
The delay might have been the doing of the previous government. But it remains to be seen how Mr. Reddy's government will wriggle out of the situation, and pull out the farmers from their debt-traps.
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