NHRC seeks report over farmer suicide in Odisha’s Bargarh

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that 12 farmers committed suicide in 50 days in Bargarh district, Odisha.

The Commission has sought a detailed report from Odisha chief secretary within four weeks.

Reportedly, the recent suicide was by a farmer on the 15th December.  He was under tremendous pressure and took the extreme steps due to crop loss and loan burden.

The Commission, expressing serious concern over the incidents of suicides by farmers in Odisha, has observed that these indicate towards the grave situation amounting to the violation of the right to life of the poor victims and call for immediate measures on part of the State Government.

Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha calling for a detailed report in the matter within 4 weeks, including the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.

The Commission has also observed that there have been a number of cases of suicides by the farmers and farm labourers, across the country, including in the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

It has been taking cognizance of these matters and emphasizing upon the Centre as well as the concerned State Governments to take immediate and effective steps to understand the anguish of the poor farmers and ensure that due to any action or inaction by the State authorities, the grief-stricken farmers are not forced to take the extreme step.