Mansa, the cotton-belt of Punjab situated in Malwa region in south western Punjab, is among the districts most vulnerable to farmer’s suicides. Punjab is known for its scenery, food, lassi and the ever-welcoming people. However, on surveying the region under the Rural Research Project of St. Stephen’s College, what came to light was also the lavish expenditure of the families in these villages, especially on weddings irrespective of their financial status. The middlemen-Arthiyas are taking advantage of the need of farmers by taking 2 rupees interest as told illiterate farmers , which is 24 percent per annum on principal amount. Hence, innocent farmer falls into a debt cycle and comes out by intaking pesticides spray or by hanging himself to death leaving his family members in a miserable condition where they don’t have any other option than to wait for their death.
According to our case studies, most of the suicides were due to loans taken for daughter’s weddings which is upto 7-8 lakhs for small and marginal farmers. Mansa district is educationally backward district but surprisingly, they spend sumptuous sum for their daughter’s wedding. Whereas it becomes imperative to build a grand pucca house for son’s family by taking huge loans from institutional as well as non-institutional sources to get a luxurious car, refrigerator and inverter in return! One of the Sardar ji was so proud to show the best quality tractor and he even insisted on checking its quality which he bought for his daughter’s dowry. The showing off is not an option, it has taken the place of compulsion in the vicious circle of society .They have to maintain a status quo in society. Even after the suicide of farmer, family members have to borrow large sum to do the last rights of deceased farmer. It was mentioned that “We have to arrange for a bhog which includes the best of food which is sometimes not even there in weddings! ”One of the Mazbi Sikh Farmer took a loan to construct a well furnished house but he drank pesticides spray an year ago because he felt that selling the land to repay the loan will destroy his self respect. Later on, Loan was cleared after selling the land by family members. House is well built but the man is gone !
Even in economic distress scenario, they have to bear these lavish expenditures ignoring certain necessities like the investment in field, school uniform, books and sometimes it affects education of their children. They even compromise health related expenses, rather survive on ordinary pills than undergoing proper treatment and operation. We can’t blame these illiterate farmers for poor money management because they don’t have a choice either. Kisaan sabhas should organize awareness programmes and seminars. They should also help the depressed farmers by providing them moral support to prevent suicides which is increasing at an alarming rate.
By,
Mudra Raheja
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