India's Bengal drought drives farmer to suicide
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Aug 22, 2010, 2:22:34 PM8/22/10
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Perilous Times and Climate Change
India's Bengal drought drives farmer to suicide
TNN, Aug 22, 2010, 04.25am IST
BURDWAN/MALDA: West Bengal had its first drought casualty in rice bowl Burdwan on Saturday, the day chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was visiting the district to take stock of the crisis. It was a late start by the CM who was initimated of the lack of rainfall in early August.
Yunus Seikh, a 45-year-old farmer, committed suicide because he couldn’t pay up his agricultural loan. Four hours after he died at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, the CM was in town meeting officials, who briefed him about the grim state of aridity.
On Monday, Writers’ Buildings had pressed the panic button declaring 11 Bengal districts as drought-affected. On Saturday, Yunus of Basantapur village under Ausgram police station, consumed pesticide and killed himself; his family said Yunus couldn’t have repaid the Rs 30, 000 he borrowed at high interest from a money-lender for kharif cultivation.
Arindam Neogi, sub-divisional officer (SDO), Burdwan (north), said the farmer was brought to the hospital on Friday night from Ausgram, about 50 km from Burdwan town, and died around 6.30 am on Saturday.
Four hours later, the CM convened his meeting to find out more about the drought that reminded one of a similar spell 15 years ago. The chief minister said this drought would lead to a rice deficit. (Agriculture minister Naren De has predicted a shortfall of 27 lakh metric tonnes next year).
The worst affected district, the CM said, was Purulia.
"Even if there is a ceaseless week-long rainfall, nothing will change," said Bhattacharjee. The CM assured financial help to farmers for the rabi crop - maize, oilseeds and pulses.
Read more: Bengal drought drives farmer to suicide - India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bengal-drought-drives-farmer-to-suicide/articleshow/6390157.cms#ixzz0xMOsfVrn
India's Bengal drought drives farmer to suicide
TNN, Aug 22, 2010, 04.25am IST
BURDWAN/MALDA: West Bengal had its first drought casualty in rice bowl Burdwan on Saturday, the day chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was visiting the district to take stock of the crisis. It was a late start by the CM who was initimated of the lack of rainfall in early August.
Yunus Seikh, a 45-year-old farmer, committed suicide because he couldn’t pay up his agricultural loan. Four hours after he died at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, the CM was in town meeting officials, who briefed him about the grim state of aridity.
On Monday, Writers’ Buildings had pressed the panic button declaring 11 Bengal districts as drought-affected. On Saturday, Yunus of Basantapur village under Ausgram police station, consumed pesticide and killed himself; his family said Yunus couldn’t have repaid the Rs 30, 000 he borrowed at high interest from a money-lender for kharif cultivation.
Arindam Neogi, sub-divisional officer (SDO), Burdwan (north), said the farmer was brought to the hospital on Friday night from Ausgram, about 50 km from Burdwan town, and died around 6.30 am on Saturday.
Four hours later, the CM convened his meeting to find out more about the drought that reminded one of a similar spell 15 years ago. The chief minister said this drought would lead to a rice deficit. (Agriculture minister Naren De has predicted a shortfall of 27 lakh metric tonnes next year).
The worst affected district, the CM said, was Purulia.
"Even if there is a ceaseless week-long rainfall, nothing will change," said Bhattacharjee. The CM assured financial help to farmers for the rabi crop - maize, oilseeds and pulses.
Read more: Bengal drought drives farmer to suicide - India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bengal-drought-drives-farmer-to-suicide/articleshow/6390157.cms#ixzz0xMOsfVrn
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