From: http://www.epw.org.in
EPW Commentary July 10, 2004
Is Rural Economy Breaking Down?
Farmers' Suicides in Andhra Pradesh
Farmers' suicides represent only the tip of the iceberg. To attribute
the rural crisis entirely to poverty and drought would be an
oversimplification of the situation and the several ways in which village
economy is under stress today. Hastily announced relief packages do not
address this complex situation.
E A S Sarma
Andhra Pradesh, applauded by every visiting dignitary for its reformist and
hi-tech approach to governance, has been in the news, but this time for a
different reason. Heavy debt and acute poverty have forced many a farmer in
the state to take the extreme step of committing suicide. In his first visit
outside Delhi as prime minister, Manmohan Singh met some of the affected
families and consoled them with a great deal of compassion and kindness.
