SC issues notice to Gujarat government on farmers' suicide in the state

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today issued notice to Gujarat government on a plea seeking compensation to families of debt-ridden 619 farmers who have allegedly committed suicide in the state since 2003.

A bench of justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit sought response from the state government on the petition filed by NGO Citizens Resource and Action Initiative (CRANTI) which also sought a direction to the state to pay compulsory financial aid of Rs 30,000 per hectare to the farmers who have suffered crop failure.

Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the NGO, submitted that compensation of Rs 5 lakh be given to each families of 619 farmers who have allegedly committed suicide 2003.

The NGO challenged the July 10, 2013 order of the Gujarat High Court dismissing its plea for compensation. It alleged that the farmers are being neglected by the state government.