Karnataka: Farmer commits suicide due to heavy debt

Kalburagi (Karnataka) [India], September 30 (ANI): A farmer has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in his farm at Bikku Naik Tanda of Chincholli Taluk in Kalaburagi district.

The farmer identified as Bikku (53) who committed suicide, is said to have a lot of debt and was unable to repay the loan taken from banks and private money lenders.

A case on the same has been registered at Chincholli police station.

Earlier in June, the Karnataka Government announced a waiver of short term loans of farmers till Rs.50, 000 from cooperative banks.

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had also asserted that the state government has given many incentives to farmers directly and indirectly.

"For instance, the energy bill that the government pays on behalf of farmers is close to Rs. 9000 crore per year. Many other states charge for electricity from farmers, whereas in Karnataka, the government pays on behalf of the farmers.

We also give farmers incentives on milk production, as for every litre of milk, we give about Rs. 5 in a year that comes to about Rs. 203,000 crore every year," he added.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah had also said that Karnataka is 'pro-farmer', and is the first state in the country to transfer input subsidies directly to the farmers' bank accounts. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI