Belagavi
A farmer attempted suicide at Kalakuppi in Bailahongal taluk on Friday morning, alleging that the central drought study team did not listen to his cries.
Appasaheb Lakkundi of Inchala village in Savadatti taluk attempted suicide. The central officials listened to the problems of some farmers in Kalakuppi and proceeded towards Chachadi in Savadatti taluk. Enraged by this, farmer Appasaheb tried to commit suicide by holding a bottle of pesticide in his hand. The Police, who were present at the spot, immediately woke up and snatched the pesticide bottle from his hand.
Speaking on the occasion, farmer Appasaheb Lakkundi said, I have grown groundnut, bean and soyabean on 40 acres of land. The crops have been completely damaged due to lack of rain. In spite of all these problems, not a single official has come to our side and listened to the problem. I tried to commit suicide as the government did not give any guarantee to the farmers. He demanded that the government should give adequate compensation to the farmers.
This time, the farmers across the state have not received the monsoon on time and the fields of the farmers have been cast a dark shadow of drought. The farmers of Gadag district have expressed their anguish in front of the Central Drought Study Committee which visited various parts of the district.
Deputy Commissioner ML Vaishali and Agriculture Joint Officer Taramani informed the study team that inspected the maize in the field of a farmer in Gojanur village. Maize has been sown at the end of July instead of the normal period due to delayed monsoon. The farmers convinced the central study team that they would not be able to grow maize even if it rains at present.
