The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to appoint panel to look into farmers' suicides

The Kerala Government will constitute a committee headed by a person not below the rank of district judge to look into the continuing phenomenon of farmers' suicides in the State.

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, told the Assembly on Monday that the Government was determined to take stern action against any official engaging in revenue recovery measures in violation of the moratorium on farm loans announced by it. The Government is committed to the policy of lightening the debt burden of the farmers, he added.

The Chief Minister also said that the Government had so far extended assistance to the families of 549 farmers who had committed suicide. The Government would offer assistance to more families if the proposed panel comes up with recommendations to the effect.

It has already announced debt relief package for the farmers and given Rs 50,000 each to the families of those who had committed suicide. The Chief Minister also said that all suicides by farmers were not due to indebtedness.

Earlier, the Opposition leader, Mr Oommen Chandy, accused the Government of having failed to prevent the recurrence of farmers' suicide in the State, put an end to revenue recover measures and create a proper crop insurance scheme for farmers. Later, the Opposition staged a walkout.

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