Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is facing criticism for providing minimal financial assistance to the families of farmers who have taken their own lives since 2016, while the government is spending money lavishly. Since the first Pinarayi government came into power in the state, a total of 42 farmers have committed suicide.
Responding to questions raised in the assembly, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad said that the total financial assistance extended to the families of these farmers amounts to Rs. 44 lakh. This revelation has raised controversy against the state government.
The report indicates that the state government has allocated only Rs. 44 lakh for the 42 families affected. The thing that should be noted is that the same amount, Rs. 44 lakh, was allotted for constructing cattle stables at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence.
Amidst the criticism directed at the Chief Minister, information on the annual count of farmer suicides has been released.
The highest number of suicides was recorded in 2019, when 13 farmers took their lives. In 2016 and 2017, each witnessed one farmer suicide, followed by six in 2018, four in 2020, three each in 2021 and 2022, and nine in 2023. The year has witnessed two suicide cases so far.
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