‘Make policies rural-friendly’

Hearing the petition related to farmers’ suicide in the state, the Bombay high court on Thursday suggested that the government of Maharashtra formulate rural-friendly policies to encourage rural youth to participate in farming and make it an activity of pride.

The division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice S.B. Shukre was hearing a suo moto public interest litigation on the issue of increasing number of farmers committing suicide in the state.

The bench Wednesday had sought data of families of farmers who have committed suicide and the help given by the government. The court was on Thursday informed that Beed and Usmanabad in Marathwada and Yavatmal and Wardha in Vidarbha were among the most-affected areas.

Government pleader Abhinandan Vagyani told the court that the government was providing jobs under Mangrela scheme to family members of farmers who had committed suicide and that food was also being provided to such families under the Food Safety Scheme.

The bench then asked Mr Vagyani to prepare a report, including the suggestions made by the court and present it to the government. “It is high time the administration works for the cause of the farmers and the state government looks into their issues seriously. Farming should be considered as an activity of pride in the state,” the court said.

During the hearing, advocate Ashutosh Kumbhkoni informed the court that professor M.S. Swaminathan’s report had mentioned several reasons why people were not taking interest in agriculture as a profession and the government should do something to help farmers.

On this, the bench said, “The state government should come up with a rural-friendly policy by which the rural youth are encouraged to take up farming instead of migrating to urban areas in search of employment.”

The court also noted that government has to come out with a disaster policy for farmers in case there is scanty or no rains.

The court suggested that the state consider having group insurance for farmers and provide advice from the horticulture department regarding the pattern of crops. The court posted the petition for further hearing next week.