13/06/2007

Vidarbha - Western Maharashtra Bt Cotton Belt Farmers / Shetkari
Four Suicides in last 24 Hours :
Details awaited -

NHRC Inspection Visit - Kolam Vidarbha Maharashtra

VIDARBHA JAN ANDOLAN SAMITI :
11, Trisaran Society, In front of Somalwar School, Khamla, Nagpur – 440 025
Tel No. (0712) 2282457 Mob No. 9422108846 / 9371137653 / 9373121947
(Regd Office : At Post : Pandharkawada-445 302, Tq : Kelapur, Distt : Yavatmal)
Ref No. VJAS/PIL-HC/Kolam Deaths/175/2007, June 2, 2007

NHRC VISIT Regarding STARVATION & MALNUTRITION DEATHS OF KOLAM TRIBALS :

NHRC Team to visit vidarbha on 4th june to have on the spot of fact finding report on kolam starvation death and condition regarding Drinking Water, Health Care & BPL Benefits to Kolam Tribals

Petitioner VJAS to raise all issues of plights of Tribals and lack of support from Government before NHRC

After having very difficult task to save the Maharashtra Govt. before Nagpur Bench of Mumbai High Court in PIL pertaining to most serious issues of Starvation & Malnutrition Deaths of Kolam Tribals in Yavatmal District, Now team of NHRC(Natinal huma right commission) headed Dr.L.P.Mishra is visitng on 4th june to vidarbha .This is the NHRC special team will visit all kolam pods to see in to facts raised by the Kishor Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti regading Government Apathy & lack of timely support from Mantralaya to address the various issues involving Right to Food, Shelter – Gharkul, Health Care, Education, Drinking Water, etc. to be made available to the distressed Tribals family in the Yavatmal District by the Ground Level Administration in solving the issues and the look in to the the Officials limitations in speedy implementing the Tribal Schemes for want of budgetary supports and approvals of the State Government.

Along with NHRC team ,it is reported Amravati Divisional Commissioner Dr. Sudhir Goyal , PIL Petitioner Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti President Sh. Kishore Tiwari and Counsels Adv. Firdos Mirza, Adv. Vinod Tiwari, Adv. Ajay Somani, Asst. Govt. Pleaders Smt. Bharti Dangre & Sh. Arvind Mujumdar and host of the Government Officials from Yavatmal District including District Collector Dr. Harshwardhan Kamble, Z.P. CEO Dr. Sikar Pardesi, Additional Tribal Commissioner Sh. Hmant Limaye, Dy. Commissioner - Civil Supply Sh. Hemant Pawar, Dy. Commissioner Sh. Jaywant Choudhari, I.D.T.P. Project Officer Sh. S.N.Saidane, Dr. Rathod (District Health Officer), Dy. Director of Health Services of Akola and other Officials of Tribals Development and District Administration will visit these kolam pods.NHRC is investigating the complaint filled by Petitioner Sh. Kishore Tiwari in the year 2003, in the wake of untimely, sudden starvation deaths of 52 Kolam Tribals which rocked entire nation in the year 2003.

It may be recalled that the report of High Power Committee appointed by the Hon'ble High Court had pointed out serious issues pertaining to Poor Health-Care, Contaminated & Poisonous Drinking Water, poor conditions of Ashram Schools run by Politicians, short coming in BPL Schemes and denial of benefits to the poor & innocent tribals families residing in 710 villages of tribals belts of Yavatmal Districts. Upon perusal of the report and on the request of PIL Petitioner, the High Court had ordered State Government to take immediate steps and submit Action Taken Report on the serious points raised by the High Power Committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner, Amravati in which Top IAS Officials where the Members of the said fact finding committee who all are the part of administration governing the control of various schemes. But in the joint meeting, officials express their limitations in solving various burning problems of the Tribals inspite of knowing fully well, as they lack in getting timely support from the State Government at Mantralaya even after their repeated efforts.

According to VJAS NHRC team will certainly be shocked to note that many of the villages are forced to drink fluoride contaminated and poisonous drinking water, non availability of Doctors in Tribals area, miserable conditions of shelter and housing, mis-managed Ashram Schools run by the Politicians, non inclusion of illegible families in BPL List due to delay in finalization of BPL list at Mantralaya level, guaranteed employment to the Tribals, etc.

NHRC has been adked for urgent needs for protection of deprived Tribal families whose fundamental Rights to Live & Liberty is infringed due to negligence of State Government as the Tribals have been denied Right to Food, Shelter, Health – Care, Drinking Water & Education inspite of the directions from the Hon'ble High Court.

Limitations of timely support from Mantralaya, the results expected have not been seen effectively, even after four years of continued efforts of the District Administration. The Petitioner was very critical upon the lack of support from State Government and its apathy towards the burning issues of the Tribals in Yavatmal district for which the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti is fighting continuously since last Seven Years.

Kishor Tiwari
Vidarbha JanAndolan Samiti

28/05/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. MOHAN JAISINGH CHAVAN, DELHI TANDA, YAVATMAL
2. GANESH BHIMRAO KHANDARE, GHOTA, WASHIM
3. MAHADEV BABA KADUKAR, KOTHARI, WASHIM
4. SHARAD SHANKARARO KHAROTE, AMBIKAPUR, AKOLA

JAN : 70
FEB : 88
MARCH : 97
APRIL : 95
MAY : 55

FARM SUICIDES IN VIDARBHA ARE DAILY INCREASING BUT ADMINISTRATION IS USING OFFICIAL MEDIA TO MISLEAD THE WORLD THAT VIDARBHA FARM SUICIDES ARE ON DECLINE AS MAHARASHTRA GOVT. ON IT'S OWN WEBSITE

Maharashtra government website : http://www.vnss-mission.gov.in/docs/suicide.pdf

Maharashtra CM Celebrates Birthday - Farmers Protest Callousness

MAHARASHTRA CHIEF MINISTER VILASRAO DESHMUKH CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WHEN MARATHWADA SUGARCANE FARMERS JOIN SUICIDE SPIRAL OF VIDARBHA COTTON FARMERS: MASSS PROTEST FARMERS AGAINST CELEBRATION

NAGPUR-25THMAY 2007

TODAY MASSIVE CELEBRATION ARE BEING ORGANISED IN FARM SUICIDE AFFECTED VIDARBHA AND MARATHWADA REGION OF MAHARASHTRA ON THE OCCASION OF BIRTHDAY OF MAHARASHTRA CHIEF MINISTER WHEN REPORTS OF MORE FARMERS SUICIDES PUBLISHED IN THE ALL-LEADING NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS. VIDARBHA REGION IS IN THE GRIP OF AGRARIAN CRISIS AND MORE THAN 3500 COTTON FARMERS COMMITTED SUICIDES SINCE 2004 BUT RECENTLY SUGARCANE GROWERS CHIEF MINISTER VILASRAO DESHMUKH REGION MARATHWADA HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDES DUE AGRARIAN CRISIS AND RECESSION IN SUGAR THAT HAS LOWER DOWN THE DEMAND OF SUGAR CANE AND FARMERS ARE BEING FORCED TO BURN THE STANDING SUGARCANE CROP AND THE CONDITION OF SUGARCANE GROWERS HAS BEEN TOO BAD TO EXPLAIN, LOCAL FARM ACTIVIST AND PRESIDENT VIDARBHA JAN ANDOLAN SAMITI INFORMED TODAY.

THE FARM SUICIDES HAS BEEN SERIOUS ISSUES AND INDIAN PRIME MINISTER HIMSELF VISITED VIDARBHA LAST YEAR JULY 2006 AND HAS PROVIDED RA.3750 CRORE RELIEF PACKAGE BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN FARM SUICIDES IN WEST VIDARBHA NOW FARM SUICIDES IS BEING SPREAD IN OTHER PART OF MAHARASHTRA TOO, KISHOR TIWARI ADDED.

FARMERS IN LARGE SCALE IN LATUR HOMETOWN OF VILASRAO DESHMUKH ALONG WITH VIDARBHA FARMERS ARE PROTESTING ON GOING CHIEF MINISTER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND POLICE FORCE ARE BEING USED TO CURB THESE PROTEST. VJAS URGED TO CONGRESS PRESIDENT SONIA GANDHI TO REMOVE MAHARAHTRA CHIEF MINISTER DUE HIS FAILURE TO SOLVE AGRARIAN CRISIS IN MAHARASHTRA, KISHOR TIWARI DEMANDED.
- VJAS

Bt Cotton Promotion and Maharashtra Government

Warnings aside, more Bt cotton seeds arrive farm woes - DNA Reports
Experts warn of impending disaster if monsoons fail " We don't know yet if these varieties will suit the agro-cli- matic and soil condi- tions. Releasing the second generation Bt for commercial use is surely disastrous." - A scientist - Jaideep Hardikar, Nagpur

Beleaguered cotton farmers in Vidarbha are staring at another disaster in the ensuing sowing season. Almost the entire belt would be cultivating Bt cotton, which have not yielded encouraging results in the past in the rain-fed region.
While cotton prices are crashing every year, a total shift to genetic cotton will spiral production cost phenomenally, leading to heavy losses, farm activists say An . estimate suggests that over 30 lakh packets of Bt cottonseeds would be sold this season, enough to cover well over ten lakh hectare farms in the region.

That's a rise of more than double in the acreage over the last year. A disaster of unforeseen and unmanageable proportions is on the cards, if there is any fluctuation in the arrival of monsoon, fears Kishor Tiwari of the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti. "The government is selling a new disaster to the struggling farmers."
Interestingly, the Maharashtra Agri culture Minister, Balasaheb Thorat, recently admitted that Bt had failed in Vidarbha and cautioned farmers not to sow it.

Also, the state government has paid about Rs 400 crore to farmers in the last four years as compensation due to the failure of Bt cotton. Farm activists point out the government-run Mahabeej seeds corporation is marketing Bt cottonseeds to inputs dealers, while the minister advises caution.
Yet, what's concerning the activists is the permission granted to nearly 53 new genotypes of Bt cotton by the Genetic Engineer ing Approval Committee (GEAC). As many 35 of those varieties would be introduced in the central parts of India.
Over 60 Bt varieties are already in the market here and more will arrive soon. And there's hardly any study on the performance of new genotypes in Vidarbha.

"We don't know yet whether these varieties will suit the agro-climatic and soil conditions. Moreover, releasing the second generation Bt (Bollguard II) for a widespread commercial use is surely disastrous," admits a senior scientist.
He also warns that it is only a matter of time before the widespread emergence of resistance in bollworms will cause the Bt cotton technology to collapse.
Peasants' confusion would be compounded by the introduction of new varieties this season. As companies compete for a greater market share, their fierce and relentless promotional tactics will expose the farmers to far greater risks.

Farmers' leader Vijay Jawandhia argues, "Bt cotton has not brought about any increase in productivity. Also, it has not reduced the use of chemicals."
Various state government reports and statistics too suggest that Bt cotton has not brought about any rise in productivity or decline in the pesticide use.

21/05/2007

Western Vidarbha - Maharashtra - Home state of heavy weight Indian Agriculture Minister / Cricket Minister :

1. SANTOSH CHINAJI DALMAL, VILLAGE ADEGOAN KHURD, WASHIM
2. KISAN KHANDAR SURPAM, SHRIRAMPUR, YAVATMAL
3. BALIRAM MATHU GAJBHIYE, ADAGOAN, AMARAVATI
4. KIRAN KRISHANNA SOLAV, RAMPUR, AMARAVATI
5. SURESH GANPAT KHANDARE, KOPAMADVI, YAVATMAL

FIVE FARMERS IN VIDARBHA WHO COMMITTED SUICIDES IN LAST TWO DAYS IN DIFFERENT PART OF VIDARBHA TAKING TOLL OF SUICIDE IN MAY TO 41.FARMERS WHO ARE SMALL AND MARGINAL BELONGING DALIT AND TRIBAL COMMUNITY ARE IN DEEP DISTRESS AND COMMITTING SUICIDES DUE TO FRESH CREDIT CRUNCH AS MOST OF THEM WHO BARROWED THE CROP LOAN FROM THE BANK AFTER INTEREST WAIVER AND RECONSTRUCTION OF PENDING FAILED TO REPAY DUE COTTON CROP FAILURE AND POOR PRICES FOR RAW COTTON

19/05/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. Ravindra Gawande, Dhadi village in Wardha,
2. Dulichand Turkar, Sihora in Bhandara and
3. Kisan Attarkar, Patur village in Akola district

Attarkar and Ravindra ended their lives by hanging themselves while Dulichand committed suicide by swallowing pesticide, reports said.

15/05/2007 - PM Vidarbha Package and Farmers

Aid yet to reach Vidarbha farmers : Surendra Gangan
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1097122

A meagre number have till now received the package of Rs 25,000 -

Though the state government has been claiming the implementation of 88 per cent of its special package for debt-ridden farmers of the Vidarbha region, the package of Rs25,000 each to thousands of farmers has not reached them yet, this apart from the government's non-compliance with its crop insurance schemes.

The state had earmarked Rs150 crores, out of the entire package of Rs1,075 crores allocated by the state, to help the debt-ridden farmers of Vidarbha. But, only Rs85 crores were allocated for the package of Rs25,000 each to nearly 60,000 farmers, out of which a meagre number of farmers have received the personal help. Expenditures have reached a mere Rs49.99 crores of the allocated amount. Even the crop insurance scheme has spent only Rs9.87 crores out of the allocated Rs19 crores.

In its presentation made to the central government last week, the state claimed Rs884.32 crores were spent of the package with a layout of Rs1,075 crores under nine different heads. The centre had also announced a special package of Rs3,750 crores to be utilised over the next three years.
"We have spent Rs 1,551.66 crores in the first year, which is 102 per cent of the allotted lay out. We have been successful in bringing 17,171 hectares under irrigation," an official from the rehabilitation department said.

The state has been prompt in its compensation to cotton-growing farmers. The state had targeted Rs370 crores and allocated Rs405.15 crores for three per cent capital formation fund, out of which Rs396.59 was spent. Interest subsidy on rescheduled crop loan, had a target of Rs225 crores and allocation Rs240.98 crores, out of which Rs 239.12 crores were spent.

The report states that 2,990 cases of suicides of debt-ridden farmers were registered during January 2001 and May 5, 2007, out of which 1,333 families of the deceased farmers have received ex-gracia assistance of Rs 1 lakh each.

13/05/2007 - Suicide Train Slowing Down ?

Western Vidarbha :

VIDARBHA FARMERS SUICIDES REDUCED DRASTICALLY IS NOT TRUE-CHIEF MINISTER MISLEADING MEDIA-VJAS

FROM DESK OF
KISHOR TIWARI
Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti
vidarbha@gmail.com
contact-09422108846

NAGPUR - 13TH MAY 2007

It is reported by times news network that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the number of farmers' suicides has reduced sharply from 61 in March last year to 16 for the same month this year.

According to the figures given by Deshmukh to the Prime Minister, 575 farmers had committed suicide due to agrarian crisis in the six worst-affected districts of Vidarbha in 2006 with the first three months accounting for 168 deaths.

During the first three months of this year 40 farmers have committed suicide in the six districts of Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal.

While nine farmers committed suicide in January this year, the number has risen to 15 in February and 16 in March.
here is the news item

QUOTE

Farmers suicides reduced drastically: Maharashtra govt

13 May, 2007 l 1200 hrs ISTlPTI


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Farmers_suicides_reduced_drastically/articleshow/2040612.cms

NEW DELHI: The spate of farmers suicides in crisis-ridden Vidarbha of Maharashtra has drastically come down this year, the state government has claimed.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the number of farmers' suicides has reduced sharply from 61 in March last year to 16 for the same month this year.

According to the figures given by Deshmukh to the Prime Minister, 575 farmers had committed suicide due to agrarian crisis in the six worst-affected districts of Vidarbha in 2006 with the first three months accounting for 168 deaths.

During the first three months of this year 40 farmers have committed suicide in the six districts of Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal.

While nine farmers committed suicide in January this year, the number has risen to 15 in February and 16 in March.

Singh had announced a special relief package of Rs 3,750 crore for the six districts where most suicides by farmers in distress were reported.

"The prime minister's relief package has helped a lot in providing succour to farmers in Vidarbha," Deshmukh said.

The package provides a waiver on interest on loans, rescheduling of loans, and greater thrust to irrigation, seed replacement, extension and subsidiary income facilities.

Interestingly, the Maharashtra government in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in connection with a PIL had accused the PMO of delay in release of funds to keep operational the relief schemes announced by Singh.

The allegation, that caused an embarrassment to Singh and the Congress, a senior partner in the coalition government in Maharashtra, were withdrawn later.
=====================
UNQUOTE
Vidarbha Jan Andolan samiti who is tracking vidarbha farm suicides and moved against maharashtra in mumbai high court and human right commission has claimed that this information provided by maharashtra chief minister to indian prime minister is purely bogus and misleading and it is completely contradicting to the own official figure of vidarbha farm suicides of their own web site ,he is the link
http://www.vnss-mission.gov.in/docs/suicide.pdf
(we are attaching this pdf file ready reference)

farm suicides in west official fig is for 2006 is 1448 and for 2007 is 295 now chief minister's claim that farm suicides in 2006 were 557 and now in 2007 it's only 168 is ridiculous and most unfortunate."suicide number is not important the important is govt. admission that in west vidarbha more than 13 lacs farm family are in deep distress and there is complete collapse of social and civil administration due support system failure.VJAS has demanded that now time has come to ask hostile chief minster of maharashtra vilasrao deshmukh to step down as face saving device for congress otherwise the situation in west vidarbha will lead anarchy, Kishor tiwari added.
KISHOR TIWARI
Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti
vidarbha@gmail.com
contact-09422108846

Anti PMO Affidavit - Lunch Break

The anti PMO office affidavit filed by Maharshtra government is producing bureaucratic stresses and strains now, as per this Times of India report from Prafulla Marpakwar ITNN
Vidarbha Package is fast becoming an orphan that nobody wants to keep. It is becoming too hot for politicians and bureaucrats to handle and the blame game has started in earnest, while the Sensex Minister and Cricket Minister take a nap.
Quote -
Anti-PMO affidavit : Joint Secy goes on leave - by Prafulla Marpakwar I TNN

Please click on the following link to read the TOI news item :
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=TkdUT0kvMjAwNy8wNS8wOCNBcjAwNDAw&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Email : prafulla .marpakwar@ timesgroup.com
Mumbai \ Nagpur : A day after Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh approved a proposal to conduct a departmental inquiry against Pravin Srivastava for filing an affidavit against the PMO, the Joint Secretary (Relief and Rehabilitation) has proceeded on long leave to participate in a 'vipasyana' camp.
Though Srivastava, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) official, was not available for comment, his office confirmed that he had proceeded on leave to participate in a meditation camp. Significantly, a section of Mantralaya officials expressed the view that Srivastava was being made a scapegoat.
Following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a New Delhi-based lawyer over the failure of more than half a dozen states, including Maharashtra, to tackle the agrarian crisis, the apex court had asked the state chief secretary to file a comprehensive affidavit on the steps taken by the state government, particularly to tackle the farmers' suicides in Vidarbha.
In its affidavit, besides submitting adequate information on the relief measures taken by the state, the government also blamed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for delay in releasing the promised financial assistance. It also mentioned that since there was delay on the part of the PMO in providing the funds for PM's special package for Vidarbha, the state government had to make alternate arrangements for the purpose.
The PMO was so irked by the affidavit that it not only ordered a probe into it, but also asked sleuths from the Intelligence Bureau to obtain information from the relief and rehabilitation department regarding the financial assistance provided to farmers from the Vidarbha region, which the Prime Minister had personally visited.
Deshmukh and the then chief secretary D K Sankaran also took note of the anti-PMO affidavit. While they submitted a clarification to the PMO, an internal probe was also initiated to find out how such an affidavit had been filed, since it had the approval of relief and rehabilitation secretary B P Pandey and Sankaran. In fact, the anti-PMO affidavit proved costly for Sankaran, who could not get an extension after his retirement on April 30.
An internal probe revealed that the affidavit was drafted by Srivastava and later approved by Pandey and Sankaran. However, before filing the affidavit in the apex court, Srivastava had made drastic changes to it, but had not shown the same to Pandey and Sankaran. Apparently, when Pandey took Srivastava to task for exceeding his brief, Srivastava tendered an unconditional apology.
On the basis of Srivastava's apology, Pandey moved a proposal for his departmental probe, which was approved by the new chief secretary, Johny Joseph, and Deshmukh. Significantly, the proposal has been approved a day before PMO principal secretary T K K Nair has convened a special meeting to review the PM's package for Vidarbha.
-- Unquote

VJAS Demands BT Cotton Sowing Intervention Vidarbha

VJAS DEMANDS BAN ON Bt. COTTON BOLLGARD - II IN VIDARBHA :

After the landmark mass sowing permission, by GEAC in June 2005, for Bt Cotton in Vidarbha, more than 2230 cotton farmers suicides have been reported and govt. of maharashtra has compensated cotton growers Rs. 219 core and Rs. 210 crore in the year 2005-2006 and year 2006-2007 for the failure of Bt.cotton in rain fed area of Vidarbha.
Maharashtra govt. has on record admitted that Bt. Cotton has failed in rain fed areas of Vidarbha, whereas 95% area of vidarbha is rain fed.
Now Bt.cotton seeds manufacturing, American company, has introduced Bollgard - II.
For promoting the Bt cotton seeds in Vidarbha, the company, with an elaborate network of Indian seed distributors and dealers, has started its high profile advertising campaign, backed by credit incentives - that it is highly profitable and gives minimum 11 quintal productive yield, where as according to govt. of maharashtra official report the cotton average yield has been dropped down from 120 kg per acre to hardly 50 kg per acre after introduction of Bt.cotton in vidarbha.
The advertising slogan catch line is "your farming, your profits"....
The claims made by the Monsanto company were patently fraudulent, as cotton growers pesticide uses was not dropped down where cotton output was drastically effected resulting mass suicides of cotton farmers in Vidarbha, Kishor tiwari added.
The Indian government is more busy at this time setting its cricket team into good shape for the next World Cup rather than rectifying the wrong decisions of GEAC regarding poor judgement in cropping and sowing patterns in Indian agriculture as a whole.
What a mockery of an Agriculture Ministry.

Total Failure of Rural health care support system, employment and social cum civil administration are the main reasons of farmer's suicides in west vidarbha.
Dr. Sudhir Goyal, IAS, who is Relief Commissionor, and implementing prime minister package himself has asked Indian govt. that low cost sustainable farming is only solution of stop these suicides.
The officials are more busy trying to show that there is no agrarian distress on Indian farms.
Ban on Bt. Cotton and chemical farming is need of hour, and cotton farmers should cultivate there than cotton should the programme of the state the official further demands. Restoration secondary systems like rural employment, health is also needed to stop these on going suicides but nobody is acting in this direction more over misleading press releases are adding fuel to extremely critical situation in vidarbha, as per Kishor Tiwari of VJAS.

26/04/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. NARAYAN CHAMPATRAO JUNJUNKAR OF RALEGOAN IN YAVATMAL
2. MAHADEV RAMCHANDRA POPHALE OF DHOTERDI IN AKOLA
3. PANDURANG BHIKAJI DEVKAR OF MAZALGOAN IN BULDHANA
4. SATISH GOVIND RAGHUWANSHI OF HIRULPURNA IN AMARAVATI
5. RAJESH BHAGWAN WANKHEDE IN KALARA IN AKOLA
6. LAXMAN RAMAJI SAHARE IN CHANDOLA IN AMARAVATI

Volte face by Maharashtra and PMO - PM vidarbha Package

From Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti :
PMO APATHY TO VIDARBHA RELIEF PACKAGE:

MAHARASHTRA GOVT. MISLEAD SUPREME COURT
NAGPUR-13TH APRIL, 2007

It is reported that in order to save volte face of non functioning of PMO regarding follow up relief aid distribution as announced by Indian prime minister as vidarbha farmers relief package of rs.3750 crore, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn its allegations against the Prime Minister's Office of delaying the release of additional funds for ex-gratia assistance to suicide-affected farmers' families in the state.

The allegation caused a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh and the Congress, as the party was a senior partner in the coalition government in Maharashtra.

This central assistance authorised district collectors to sanction Rs 10,000 for a suicide-affected family for health and education related expenses. An amount of Rs 50 lakh each was placed for disposal with the six district collectors for this purpose in August 2006.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the state had said, "this amount has fully been disbursed to the needy families and the state government has been requesting the Prime Minister's Office for additional funds. The State has even earmarked Rs 1.80 crore from the Chief Minister's Fund, with a view to keep the scheme running otherwise the scheme had to be stopped for the delay in receiving grants from the PMO."

"This is completely false affidavit as relied aid has not given to affected farm widows and farmers' families as on today" PIL Petitioner Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti President Kishore Tiwari in nagpur bench of mumbai high court in the same issue has informed today that maharashtra Govt. has given untrue and misleading information in the recent affidavit as relief data given by the on their web site does not support made in this affidavit in fact PMO was only spectators to farm suicides after 1st July 2006 and there is no action from PMO on record ,kishor tiwari added

The affidavit had come in response to a PIL filed by advocate Sanjeev Bhatnagar seeking review of the current agriculture policy in view of suicides committed by thousands of farmers in various parts of the country.

It is reported in the press today that now, Maharashtra's Joint Secretary and OSD, Relief and Rehabilitation, Praveen Srivastava has filed an additional affidavit seeking to delete the allegations against the PMO.

Srivastava alleged that a particular sentence of the affidavit had been torn out and misinterpreted out of context by a section of press to interpret that the state government was putting the blame on the PMO for the delay in making available funds.

"I am constrained to file this additional affidavit so as to make the record clear and unambiguous and lead no manner of doubt as to the contentions of 2nd Respondent (Maharashtra) in this regard," Srivastava said in the affidavit.

Instead, Maharashtra requested the court to allow it to add two additional pages appreciating Singh's visit to Vidarbha, announcement of package for farmers and his support to the scheme.

This is the mockery of the relief operation as more than 1000 farmers suicides have been reported by Maharashtra state Govt. on the web site officially after the announcement of the relief package by Indian Prime Minister now as face saving device both are misleading the apex court, it's unfortunate and we will move against both Govt. at the central level and local level as matter of contempt of court, Kishor Tiwari further added.

05/04/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. SURYABHAN CHAVAN, YAWALI, YAVATMAL
2. DEVIDAS WADE, KHURHA, AMARAVATI
3. YOGESH PARIKHE, KISANAPUR, AMARAVATI
4. GAJANAN POHANE, KAWTHAL, WASHIM

THE RECENT REPORTS OF BANK RECOVERIES UP TO 31ST MARCH, SHOWS THAT COTTON FARMERS ARE IN DEEP ECONOMICAL CRISIS BECAUSE COTTON CROP FAILURE AND POOR MARKET RATE FOR COTTON. THIS SITUATION TOO CRITICAL TO EXPLAIN AS ACCORDING TO MAHARASHTRA GOVT. OFFICIAL REPORT THE AGRARIAN CRISIS IN THE WEST VIDARBHA IS VERY CRITICAL AND 1. 2 MILLION FARMERS OUT OF 1.7 MILLION FARMER IN THE REGION ARE UNDER DISTRESS AND MORE THAN 4,35000 ARE SUICIDE PRONE AND UNDER MAXIMUM DISTRESS, NEEDS FOOD SECURITY, HEALTH SECURITY AND COMPLETE SOCIAL PROTECTION BUT THESE BASIC ISSUES ARE NOT ADDRESSED IN THESE ANNOUNCEMENT

31/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. BIJARAM ATRAM, VILLAGE TEMBHI, YAVATMAL
2. GANESH DUMARE, PALASGOAN, WARDHA
3. DHANRAJ PARSUTKAR, NANDGOAN PODE, CHANDRAPUR
4. ARUN KANOJE, PIMPRI MODAK, WASHIM
5. BHUSHAN DHOTE, RAMPURI TOLI, BHANDARA
6. AVINASH LENTHARE, VILLAGE TAKALI, WARDHA
7. PRAKASH NIBHORKAR, GADCHIROLI, GADCHIROLI
8. HARI DHOTE, INDARWADA, NAGPUR

Despite Bhau VilasRao Deshmukh, Maharshtra CM's claim, that suicide rates were going down, 95 farmers ended their lives last month
Death row No. of suicides
2007 March 95 February 88 January 70 2006
2006 July 90 August 111 Sept 125 Oct 112 Nov 107 Dec 105

- Hindustan Times Report of Mr Pradip Maitra :
pradipmaitra@hindustantimes.com

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=01_04_2007_004_011&typ=1&pub=264

You can find it at: ' Farmer suicides highest in March'HindustanTimes ePaper
-----------------
Morshi in Amaravti has been shocked when four member of cotton farmer family reported dead due to food poisoning, VJAS has demanded C.B.I. enquiry in to matter in order to rule out the possibility of mass suicide due distress as 3 more farmers suicides reported today on 25 th march 2007,

1. SUBHASH MOHURLE, VILLAGE KINHI, YAVATMAL

2. SHANKAR ZODE, DEWALA, YAVATMAL

3. DAVIDAS TAYADE, BRAHMAN THADI, AMARAVATI

24/03/2007

Western Vidarbha : Home state of political heavy weight, tough talking, ALL ROUNDER, Indian Cricket Minister, also working part time, as Indian Agriculture Minister, and at the same time also as Indian Food Minister, and also as Indian Food Imports Minister.

1. NAMDEO TAG, MURTIJAPUR, AKOLA
2. ANKUSH LATHAL, CHATKHED, AKOLA
3. BABAN BHIMATE KRISHNNA, WASHIM
4. RAMESH NEMANE, PASARNI, WARDHA
5. SURESH KADAM, SALPHAD, WARDHA
6. KISHATTANNA DESHATTIWAR, CHANAKH, YAVATMAL
7. DIKARAM DHOTTARKAR, TADULWANI, NAGPUR
8. PRABHAKAR KALE, ALIPUR, WARDHA
9. BHAGWANTRAO PHUNDKAR, KHUBHARGOAN, AMARAVATI

21/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. DEVIDAS RATHODE, PIMPARI(PANDHURNA), YAVATMAL
2. SADASHIV SHRIRAME, KAMATHWADA, YAVATMAL
3. ASHOK ONKAR, KURAHAD, YAVATMAL
4. JANRAO WANKHEDE, RAMTEK, WASHIM
5. SAWARAM RATHODE, SHIGANAPUR, WASHIM

19/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :
1. GOVERDHAN KAWALE, VILLAGE BHULAI, YAVTMAL DISTRICT
2. CHANDRAKA LOKHANDE, VILLAGE SAWANGI PERAKA, YAVATMAL DISTRICT
3. DHYANESHWAR KHADKE, VILLAGE YELGOAN, BHULDHANA DISTT
4. DAYARAM SUTE, VILLAGE VIRALI, BHANDARA
5. DEVRAO ZALKE, VILLAGE KRISHNNAPUR, YAVATMAL

09/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. MODHUKAR GANJU RATHODE, GAWADGOAN, VILLAGE, AKOLA
2. OMKAR CHANDU RAHAGANDALE, ASADI TANDA, GONDIA
3. KISHORE RAMRAO GAWANDE, VILLAGE CHONDI, PUSAD
4. ASHOK MAHADEV TIDAKE, VILLAGE JAMATHI, AKOLA

The Guardian Minister of Yavatmal district, and nephew of ex-chief minister, late Vasantrao Naik, Shri Manohar Naik has been celebrating his 60th birth day with opulent fanfare in Pusad.
Manohar Naik is from Banjara community of Maharashtra, from which many of the suicides in Vidarbha have been coming.

For its part, the PMO, in its response to Maharashtra government affidavit, on delay in release of Vidarbha Relief Package funds, announced by Shri Man Mohan Singh with much fanfare, has sent a team of officers of IB, to investigate what actual funds have reached the indebted farmers of Vidarbha and the survivors of agrarian suicides in the cotton belt.
Bureaucratic name calling, will be seen in the coming days without any attempts to change Congress farm exit policy.

08/03/2007

Western Vidarbha :

1. JANARDHAN SATHE, VILLAGE MAREGOAN, BULDHANA
2. RAGHUNATH DHONDU BORKAR, NAWARGOANBANDH, GONDIA
3. VITHAL ATTARKAR, VILLAGE SONADA, BULDHANA
4. SHARVAN CHICHOLKAR, VILLAGE KOPOMANDAVI, YAVATMAL
5. VITHOBA THAKARE, SALOD, YAVATMAL
6. SAHEBRAO MAPARI, VILLAGE DHANODA, WASHIM
7. VILAS CHAVAN, VILLAGE CHIROLI, AMARAVTI DISTT
8. MORSHING DANGE, VILLAGE TATAPUR, BULDHANA
9. BANDU RATHODE, VILLAGE TANDOLI, YAVATMAL

Election tours of Congress, NCP, and opposition top political leaders, are in full swing.
They are touring Vidarbha, for canvassing political support from rural voters and are waxing eloquent on agrarian crisis and why they should be voted to power to sort out the mess.
No vultures (giddha) can be seen in the deep blue, dry Vidarbha skies, these days.