The Commission has requested the State Government of Maharashtra that it would be desirable and appropriate to put in place a mechanism to ensure that there is no recurrence in future of farmer's suicides on account of drought or indebtedness. It also directed the State Government to take all appropriate steps to mitigate the hardships faced by farmers due to drought or indebtedness. The State Government had acknowledged that 140 farmers had committed suicide on account of indebtedness, drought etc. and who were found to be eligible for financial assistance of Rs. 1.00 lakh, an amount the Commission had recommended.
These directions were issued following the report by the State Government submitted to the Commission in connection with the death of 2 farmers by suicide. The deaths were reported in a national daily on 18 July 2004 and on the basis of which the NHRC had directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra to take appropriate action and submit a report on the action taken.