Mysterious Rise In Farmer Deaths Post Rythu Beema Launch

Anvesh Reddy

In an inexplicable turn of events, the Agricultural Extension Officers across Telangana have, in the last few days, reportedly notified to the State government, a sudden spurt in the deaths among farmers. On August 15, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao launched the prestigious Rythu Beema scheme, which provides Rs.5 lakh life insurance to farmers, besides introducing the free eye care scheme, Kanti Velugu. In the lead-up to the announcement of these schemes, KCR's Independence Day speech largely epitomized the viability of Telangana as a Model State to the nation and transforming the State into 'Bangaru Telangana' with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks during the recent Parliament session over the State's focus on development path after bifurcation.

PM Modi inferred that the Telangana government moved ahead in the path of progress with ‘maturity’, while the Andhra Pradesh government, ruled by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), continued to be caught in the crossfire of the bifurcation disputes.

Within 96 hours from the launch of the farmers insurance scheme, as many as 78 farmers have reportedly died, raising many an eyebrow. As things stand as of Saturday, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) is said to have disbursed Rs 5 lakh towards the insurance cover to the respective families of 52 farmers out of the 67 farmer families whose details have reportedly been sent out to the LIC. The rule of the scheme is to ensure the beneficiaries receive the money within 10 days from the farmers' death.

However, such a sudden spike in farmer deaths in a short span creates doubts and misgivings. In 2016 alone, 632 farmers in Telangana lost their lives. This brings to us the very need for the existence of the farmers insurance scheme, given that an ideal government would put all its energies in ensuring the farmer does not kill himself out of distress.

Are the 78 deaths in the last four days as reported by sources, a direct consequence of the Rs 5 lakh promise? Or are they purely accidental? Could the excess rainfall in parts of Telangana be among the reasons for farmer deaths due to crop loss? The government alone can find the answers to these questions by probing these instances on the ground level.

Also Read: KCR Failed To Keep Promises: Cong