Debt-ridden Tehri farmer ends life

Jyotirmoy Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 21

The number of farm deaths in the state rose to five after a farmer committed suicide in Chamba block of Tehri district today. Rajkumar (46) ended his life by consuming an insecticide. His body was found in a field this morning. The deceased Rajkumar taken loan from two banks and was unable to pay off the amount. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for more than half of the state’s population. Rise in farm deaths has given the opposition a chance to corner the state government. State Congress president Pritam Singh expressed shock over suicide by a farmer in Tehri. He said farmers were under tremendous pressure to repay bank loans, which had become increasingly difficult due to crop loss on account of deficient rainfall and other natural causes. He also flayed the BJP government on its failure to fulfill election promises, which included farm loan waiver.

Meanwhile, a four-member delegation of the Congress comprising Shanti Prasad Bhatt, Narendra Ramola, Rajeshwar Badoni and Sahab Singh Sajwan met the bereaved family in Chamba today and inquired about the incident.

Of the five farm deaths, three have occurred in Udham Singh Nagar district while one each took place in Garhwal and Kumaon hills.