Two tenant farmers ‘end life' due to mounting debt in Andhra Pradesh
The death of two tenant farmers by suicide in two villages on Tuesday in Nadendla mandal of Palnadu district reportedly due to mounting debts over the last three to four years created a panic-like situation among the local residents.
The deceased were identified as Nasam Adinarayana, 45, from Nadendla village and Siriboyina Goapala Rao, 42, of Thubadu village. 'They allegedly committed suicide early on Tuesday,' tahasildar A.V. Ramana told The Hindu.
Ms. Ramana further said that District Collector P. Arun Babu and Agriculture Director S. Dilli Rao visited the houses of the two farmers and consoled their families. She added that the three-member committee, including the tahasildar, Agriculture Officer and Circle Inspector, was constituted to conduct an inquiry into the suicide.
She said, as per preliminary reports, Adinarayana accumulated a debt of about ₹70 lakh. He cultivated commercial crops like cotton and chilli. Goapala Rao had debts of about ₹40 lakh, and he grew cotton, chilli and tobacco.
TDP MLA Prathipati Pulla Rao expressed shock over the suicide of farmers, and assured that the government wold extend support to their families.
'The government is committed to helping the two families, and once the inquiry is completed, financial aid will be released,' the Collector said.
YSRCP leader Vidadala Rajini expressed concern over the suicide deaths, and said they were due to lack of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops and rising debt burden. After consoling the bereaved families at the Chilakaluripet Government Hospital, she addressed the media and blamed the ruling coalition government for the deaths.
Ms. Rajini said the two farmers couldn't get fair price for their produce. She criticised the government for its failure to provide MSP for any crop, despite repeated protests by farmers. She demanded ex gratia for the victims' families.
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