Maharashtra govt's apathy poses hurdles in rebuilding lives of farmers’ widows | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Maharashtra govt's apathy poses hurdles in rebuilding lives of farmers’ widows

Hindustan Times | ByKunal Purohit, Mumbai
Jul 27, 2015 10:12 PM IST

Of the 59 widows, only six received the government’s compensation of Rs 1 lakh that was promising to families of distressed farmers who have committed suicide. Thirty-seven of these deaths were declared to be ‘ineligible’ suicides.

Widows of distress-stricken farmers in Maharashtra are battling various odds to rebuild their lives but the study shows that the biggest of these is government apathy. The study conducted by various organisations under Kisan Mitra shows how governmental support is either completely missing or not enough.

Farmers sow seeds in the paddy fields of Yeoor village in Thane. (Photo: Praful Gangurde)
Farmers sow seeds in the paddy fields of Yeoor village in Thane. (Photo: Praful Gangurde)

Of the 59 widows, only six received the government’s compensation of Rs 1 lakh that was promising to families of distressed farmers who have committed suicide. Thirty-seven of these deaths were declared to be ‘ineligible’ suicides.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Red tape and bureaucracy ensued that 22 cases were rejected due to the presence of ‘alcohol’ in the bodies of farmers. Authorities concluded that alcohol was the reason of the death and that it was not suicide.

For some women, the financial assistance was paltry. One widow got Rs 7,000 while others got much less than the promised amount.

However, the state’s apathy isn’t restricted to financial support and the lack of it. The study found that the lack of financial assistant to rebuild their lives has affected the women more. None of the widows got any skill training for employment. The women, as part of the study, have said that they would want training for various purposes --- over one fourth wanted to be trained in farming, some in animal husbandry.

One in every three women wanted to start something on her own.

Even the government’s programmes for these women have not reached them. Only 12 of the 59 widows benefitted from schemes. Ten received widows’ pension and only one had received assistance for constructing a well.

Fourteen women had not received any sort of assistance from the government.

“We found that most of these women don’t even know about the schemes that the government has to offer. Even if they know, there are so many obstacles that the bureaucracy poses that it is extremely difficult for such women to fight all these themselves,” said Gajanan Kale, a member of Kisan Mitra.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On