MARATHWADA - FARMER SUICIDES

Matters have come to such a pass that the residents of Gangamasla village in the district have threatened self-immolation to protest against the state government’s failure to provide relief.

The Marathwada region is facing a drought-like situation for the fourth consecutive year. All the eight districts in the region have received just 259 mm of rainfall against the yearly average of 541 mm.

With crops almost withering in the fields, farmer suicides are on the rise. The state has witnessed 1,300 suicides from January to June this year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.
Around 575 suicides were recorded in the Marathwada region alone by the end of August. The state is witnessing around 70 suicides a month despite the announcement of relief packages.