Seeking PM's permission to die
Seventy-two distressed farmers' families from three Maharashtra
villages in Bhandara and Gondia districts have sought Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh's permission to end their lives in protest against the
'casual' approach of the Centre in not waiving loans to poor farmers who
hold over five acres of land in the region.
The families have penned their grievances in a letter faxed to the
PMO and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. These farmers used to borrow
money from banks and private moneylenders almost twice a year. But for
two years now they have been facing hardships due to crop failure.
"Every crop loan borrowed for cultivation must be waived - at least
for those farmers who are facing hardship," said Chameshwar Gahane of
Siregaontola village.
- Hindustan Times |
