I came across this news report that I saw on NDTV today. (http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080039334&ch=…)
I could not resist but comment on the effectiveness of what the government is planning to do. Please note that my opinion about this issue has taken shape after getting a comprehensive understanding of why India farmers are committing suicides as explained by P Sainath in one of his Parliamentary Lectures. Even though I am immature and too far away from village matters and therefore, not exactly the right person to be able to give a very good analysis, the my views expressed here are an understanding of an urban Indian about the vows of his brethren there on the fields.
More than 1.5 lakh farmers have committed suicides since 1997 and the number is still counting. The reasons to opt for it are their mounting debts.
- In the first line itself I will like to highlight the deeper and the more important reason. This reason will help you understand the context better: The reason is 'not debt'. Debt is a symptom of the real reason. The real reason is actually the farmers not getting enough return for the crops they are producing. The other factor is the poor rains in many parts.
Now the government is working out a plan to write off all farmer debts in the suicide-hit districts across the country and this will cost the government some Rs 65,000 crores.
- Oh wow.. What a news.. Government want to waiver the debts now.. For past many years the farmers of the states which were once known for their crop and for the high yields are drinking poisons and hanging themselves. One must understand what brought about this change. I will compare Maharashtra with UP in these matters. The farm suicides that we have heard of are all from Maharashtra. UP rarely shows up in the list. Why is it so? Does it have to do anything with the crop that these people grow? Yes! There is the answer. farmers in Up grow food grains. Most of these grains are consumed within the country and their demand and supply does not vary significantly. International changes does not radically alter things for the farmer in UP because he still grows his crop in the age old way and sells it through the age old mechanisms. But talk about Maharashtra and the scene is different. This state does not grow food grains. It grows cash crops. It grows crops like Cotton that have a large international market. It grows oil seeds and other things that are directly exported to other countries. The seeds for these are being procured from international organizations and the marketing is again on an international scale.
What happened in recent years that caused these farmers who were once rich and prosperous to commit suicide? Does it have to do anything with international pricing of cotton? Does it relate to the mammoth sized subsidies that USA is offering to it's Corporate farms to grow cotton? Does it relate to the trade agreements that people in New Delhi have happily signed that prevents India from taking steps to secure it's farmers? When international prices of cotton plunged to the lowest levels, India should have taken steps to secure the rights of it's farmers by imposing heavy duties on the cotton imports and thus, ensuring a good price for the farmer. Did it happen? NO! Why? is it because the-big bosses who convert cotton to cloth were powerful enough to ensure that the government did nothing that could hurt there profit margins.
When the farmer came to mandis and sold his crop at a trivial price, the government sat in the AC offices and pretended to be concerned. When he purchased poison to kill himself, there was no one to watch. When he dies, there were some commissions setup. Now, suddenly one morning the government wakes up ready to shell out Rs. 65000 Crores.
Does it have to do anything with the woes of the farmer? Just a reminder.. Maharashtra elections are due soon!
Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture said, ''The idea is to provide a one time relief to all debt ridden families across the country.''
The finance minister who had been opposing this till now has reportedly agreed and so has the Prime Ministers Office.
-Good! One time relief! One shot and you wash your hands off teh responsibility to target the actual problem. Suppress the symptom and get away. Go on Mr Pawar
This change could also be due to prospects of early elections.
There will be a loan waiver to nearly 80% of the small and marginal farmers with landholdings of upto 2 hectares, large landholders will pay back 75% of their total debt and the administration will take care of the rest.
But political parties point out that, the government plan still leaves out those who borrow money from private moneylenders at huge interests and are not part of the formal credit network like banks and cooperatives.
There will be a loan waiver to nearly 80% of the small and marginal farmers with landholdings of upto 2 hectares, large landholders will pay back 75% of their total debt and the administration will take care of the rest.
But political parties point out that, the government plan still leaves out those who borrow money from private moneylenders at huge interests and are not part of the formal credit network like banks and cooperatives.
- Instead of throwing the money to teh farmer at this stage, if the government ahd ensure a good minimum support privce for srop then all the farmers, irrespective of their background would have earned the fruit of their labour. They would have prepared kheer at home and happily replayed the loans. Today a few hundred thousands of them who dies, would have been working on the fields. Since the amount sounds good and the timing is right, the government will wash away their hands quickly. But you and I should know what is going on.
Ravi Shanker Prasad, Spokesperson BJP said, ''There is no question that it's an election stunt.''
Its a move that may bring in votes in the next elections, but will sure provide relief to those farmers. Yet there is no alternative for farmers going to private money lenders.
Its a move that may bring in votes in the next elections, but will sure provide relief to those farmers. Yet there is no alternative for farmers going to private money lenders.
- Overall: What a good gimick. First hurt a person beyond his bearing capacity. Hurt him so bad that he struggles to survive. Let him starve or kill himself with frustration. Still if he survives, reward him with your care.
What a policy? What a government?
Note: My commenst on this article are only included to trigger that someone amoung the readers who will stand and fight work for the cause of the farmers. I write this to see someone stand who will use the skill and the knowledge gained through the best of education to help a few who belong to the 80% of the natio where people still struggle to survive.
Bhagat Siangh once said-"It takes a loud bang to make the deaf hear". It si sad that we cant hear the "cries" .
Comments
I dont think it's just the
I dont think it's just the lack of Minimum support price that is prompting farmers to commit suicide. I think it's lack of guidance and lack of emotional support to face the battles of life that is leading to farmer suicides. When there is a problem in life, the first thing one needs to do is not to let down the spirit of life. But can we expect a farmer who is chased by the creditors, to react in such a way ? Can we expect a farmer who is burdened with the responsibilities like daughter's marriage or son's education to show optimism in dark times?I feel this is the area which needs attention. Idont think farmer suicides can be prevented unless this area is taken care of .
Disqus Comment
I should say it give a good picture of situation faced by indian farmers. I think we need mor einfo in this subject before we stand and rasie our voice.