​NHRC seeks report on suicides by more than 600 farmers

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Central and Maharashtra governments over the suicide of 639 farmers in that state between March and May 2018.

Reasons cited for the suicides have included crop failure, debt and an inability to pay back loans.

The NHRC has asked the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Government to respond within four weeks.

They were asked to provide details of the status of the implementation of schemes for the welfare of farmers.

"There is a need for the Central and State governments to see that the schemes announced by them are implemented in true spirit, to achieve the target so that such tragic deaths of the farmers could be averted," the NHRC said in a statement.

The NHRC noted that this was not the first time that such a tragedy had occurred.

"Committing suicide in such a large number is a serious matter as it involves the right to life of the victims. Their families also come under tremendous pressure due to the sudden demise of an earning member," the NHRC said.

Date: 16 July 2018

Source: National Human Rights Commission