The Bombay high court on Friday suggested the government of Maharashtra to consider providing space to farmers in government markets so that they could directly sell their products to consumers.
The division bench of Justice N.H. Patil and Justice S.B. Shukre asked the government to consider providing 200 to 500 ft space in government markets so that they could directly sell their vegetables and fruits to end consumers.
The bench, which was hearing suo motu public interest litigation on the issue of farmers’ suicide in Maharashtra, said that the government should provide space to farmers in government markets at all districts, talukas and grampanchayats. The bench also suggested to allot some space for farmers whenever a government market is constructed in future.
Concerned officers from Akola, Amravati and Usmanabad were present in the court during the hearing and the bench asked them what steps they are taking to prevent farmers from committing suicide. The officers told the court that there are a number of reasons, including drought, that drive farmers to commit suicide.
On this the bench said there is a water shortage in Israel and government officers had visited Israel to study this and asked what was the result of that visit. It added that if such visits are not beneficial then why should officers go to different countries to conduct studies.
The officer from Akola informed the court that there are various schemes for farmers in their area like officers educating farmers and making them take a pledge that they will neither commit suicide nor they will allow anybody to commit suicide. They also help families of farmers by providing them with sewing machines or other useful things, he said.
