Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Complaints Before the Commission
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b. Long Term Measures
1. Initiation of cloud seeding
2. Planning for plantation of Jatropha and Pongamia for production of bio-diesel
3. Establishment of help lines for distressed farmers
4. Establishment of State level and District level cells to monitor the cases of farmer’s suicide
and extension of relief on time
4.154 While submitting that the number of suicides of farmers have come down
drastically, the State Government has also intimated the Commission about various
measures taken by it for the welfare of the farmers including setting up of Farmers’
Welfare Commission to go into the causes of suicides by farmers and to suggest
remedial measures.
4.155 The Commission has called for a copy of the report of the Farmers’ Welfare Commission.
The same is awaited.
27. Suicide by farmers: Karnataka - Case File No.180/10/2003-2004(FC) (LF No.213/
10/2003-2004)
4.156 The Commission received a complaint from Shri P. Kodanda Ramaiah, Ex. M.P., Sh.
B.R. Patil, Ex. Vice Chairman, Legislative Council, Sh. K. Sharananna, Ex. MLA, Kushtagi
and Sh. Srishailappa Bidarur, Ex. MLA, Ron alleging that the farmers in Karnataka are committing
suicide due to hunger caused due to drought resulting in failure of crops.
4.157 The Commission considered the matter and got it investigated by its Special Rapporteur.
The Special Rapporteur, NHRC visited the affected areas and submitted a detailed report dated
10-01-2004 with the following broad recommendations: -
(a)
(b)
(c)
In all cases of suicide deaths, the debts incurred with public institutions like cooperatives
and banks should be ordered to be cancelled, after a thorough verification;
Payment of ex-gratia relief of Rs.2 lakhs to the affected families. In addition, depending
on the debts incurred by the victim, a further amount not exceeding Rs.1 lakh be provided
to each family towards settlement of the debts with the assistance of the village community,
so as to end the entire trauma being experienced by these families;
A complete scrutiny of the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in
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