According to a state revenue department official, Maharashtra’s Marathwada region has witnessed a distressing surge in farmer suicides this year. In the first six months alone, a staggering total of 483 farmers took their own lives, with June recording the highest number of deaths, reaching 92.
The figures reveal a distressing trend of escalating farmer suicides in the Marathwada region. The data shows a consistent rise in deaths, beginning with 62 in January, 74 in February, 78 in March, and 89 in April. Although there was a slight decrease to 88 in May, the numbers surged again to 92 in June, reaching an alarming peak. Among the districts affected, Beed reported the highest toll of 128 farmer suicides, followed by 90 in Osmanabad and 89 in Nanded, as per the revenue department’s report encompassing Aurangabad division. Of the 92 deaths in June, Beed led with thirty, followed by Nanded with 24.
Out of the 483 reported cases, 304 have been deemed eligible for ex-gratia assistance, while 112 are currently under investigation. Additionally, 67 cases have been deemed ineligible for such aid. Surprisingly, only 10 families have received the ex-gratia support, which includes a cash aid of Rs 30,000 along with Rs 70,000 deposited as a fixed deposit to be claimed later.
Notably, Beed, the district that reported the highest number of farmer suicides, is also the home district of the state’s agriculture minister, Dhananjay Munde.
