NHRC takes cognizance of complaints on farmers suicide and corruption in giving aid to their families in Bundelkhand: Issues notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government.

The National Human Rights Commission has seen a media report and a complaint based thereon alleging that the corrupt officials in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh are feeding off aid for the dead farmers whose families are still struggling to get the compensation under several schemes of the government. The Commission has issued notice to the Chief Secretary Government of Uttar Pradesh calling for a report within four weeks.
Allegedly, the government officials are taking bribes from poor farmers to grant aid provided by the government. It is also alleged that eighty per cent of the population in Bundelkhand is dependent on agriculture out of which 76 farmers are debt-ridden. Bundelkhand also got a relief package of Rs. 7000 crore and yet eight out every 10 farmers cannot repay their loan. Above all, this is the place where 1400 farmers have committed suicide in the last two-and-a half years, but the UP government has not acknowledged even a single one of them.
Farmers in Bundelkhand reportedly commit suicide to terminate the cylcle of drought, debt and suffering and yet it does not end at it as after their death the struggle for their families starts right from seeking a death certificate to other relief. The complainant has also drawn attention to the sting operation done by the media to allegedly catch hold of some erring and corrupt officials demanding bribe as a share from the monetary aid.
It may be mentioned that earlier also , the Commission on the 20th June, 2011 had issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government on the complaints about farmers' suicide and redressal of their problems in Bundelkhand and a report is awaited.
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