June 17, 2014
Only one farmer suicide in Bengal due to debt in the last three years
About 15000 thousand debt-stressed farmershad committed suicide in Bengal between 1977 and 2010, during the Left Frontrule. In the last three years, 2011-13, only one farmer committed suicide dueto debt burden. Minister for Agriculture, Arup Roy, informed the House duringthe debate on Agriculture Budget in the West Bengal Assembly.
He also informed the members that not onlyhas agricultural production of paddy, potatoes and jute increased during thelast fiscal year, but the farmers have also received the proper prices fortheir produce.
The minister said that the Government hasensured that farmers get the right prices for all their products and have takenseveral initiatives for the same. He mentioned the setting up of 4 Krishak Bazaars. 95 more such bazaars are under construction and 81 Krishak Bazaars are being planned forthe second phase. The Government has also sanctioned licenses for 12 new coldstorages and 16 more are in the pipeline. Their cumulative capacity would be 28lakh metric tons.
Speaking about Kisan Mandis, the minister said that a committee will be formed forrunning these mandis. The committeeswould include SDOs, BDOs, Chairman of the PanchayatSamiti and representatives of the farmers.
