Aid, counselling elude victims’ kin

MANSA: While there has been a sharp rise in farmer suicides in the district, majority of victims’ kin are reportedly deprived of compensation and counselling sessions as mentioned in the government policy.

“Revenue and agriculture department officials will work with distressed families for at least one year,” reads the document issued by the department of agriculture in July 2015.

In last two years, 530 cases of farmer suicides have been reported from Mansa district, out of which 74 cases have been approved for aid. A total of 314 cases have been rejected and 142 are pending. The district-level committee, which reviews cases for compensation, has been blamed for rejecting more than half of the cases. One of the committee members says, “Documents like evidence of debt, postmortem report and registration of FIR under Section 174 are a prerequisite for claiming compensation. The higher rate of rejection is due to lack of submission of these.” The official adds some cases even go unreported as families avoid informing police fearing social stigma.

Speaking to HT, kin of suicide victims blame administration for failing to counsel and assist them in availing benefits. Family of Kulwant Singh of Bhaini Bagah village, who ended his life in September after failing to pay debt, claims that victim’s son now looks after the land without any guidance from the department.

District agriculture officer Gurdita Singh said, “We are doing our job and providing support to distraught families.”