Kerala HC issues notices to union, state governments on debt-ridden farmers' suicides

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has issued notices to the Central and state governments on a PIL seeking a direction to the Union Government to provide financial aid to debt-ridden farmers in the state.

The notices were issued by a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon on a PIL by lawyer Basil Attipetty.

The petitioner said some farmers cultivating ginger and banana in Waynad district and other parts of the state had taken loans from various financial institutions and ended their lives following debt burden after their crops failed.

Maintaining that the Centre was "duty bound" to protect the lives of farmers, the petitioner said the union government should provide financial assistance to the state government to help the farmers.

The petitioner also sought a direction to state Farmers Debt Relief Commission to provide immediate relief to farmers in Wayanad district.