11-05-14
For Vidarbha region, ‘large’ sum of Rs 16,000 has been distributed to
authorities for disbursement in cases of farmers’ suicides in financial
year 2014-15
Staff Reporter
Outrageous! This is the only word that can best
describe the shocking decision taken by the Democratic Front (DF)
Government as far as allocation for distribution of compensation to kin
in cases of farmers’ suicides. The Govenment has allocated Rs 40,000
only to be distributed as compensation in cases of farmers’ suicides in
the entire State of Maharashtra in the financial year 2014-15!
Previously, the Government granted an aid of Rs 1 lakh to kin in every
case of farmer’s suicide. Over the years, the Government claimed that
the farmers’ suicides in the State had come down. However, the activists
did not support the Government’s claim. In the financial year 2013-14,
the Government ‘continued’ the scheme for payment of compensation in
cases of farmers’ suicides. For the year 2014-15 also, the Government
decided to ‘continue’ with the scheme, and how! Revenue and Forest
Department, on May 9, issued a Government Resolution stating that an
allocation of Rs 40,000 has been made for the financial year 2014-15.
The said allocation has been distributed among six administrative
divisions in the State. For Nagpur and Amravati divisions, which
together constitute Vidarbha region that has witnessed the highest
number of farmers’ suicides over past several years, the total
allocation is Rs 16,000. That is, Rs 8,000 for each of these two
administrative divisions. Of course, in Government’s view, this
allocation is only the distribution of cash-flow on ‘minus authority
letter’.
According to sources in Revenue Department, if grant is not available
for a particular purpose, the ‘minus authority letter’ is issued. This
letter empowers the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) concerned to
draw money from Treasury. The amount such drawn, without adequate grant
to meet the expenditure, is later appropriated. An official, who wished
to be anonymous, said that the Government had made the allocation of Rs
40,000 as ‘token money’ and the authorities concerned could still draw
funds required from the Treasury on ‘minus authority letter’, and pay
adequate compensation in cases of farmes’ suicides.
The said Government Resolution states in clear terms that ‘the provision
to meet expenditure (for payment of compensation) was not adequate’.
This reflects poorly on the State Government’s finances and priorities.
The allocation for 2014-15 has been distributed to Divisional
Commissioners of six administrative divisions. They have been asked to
compile data on ‘actual expenditure incurred till December 2014’.
Besides, Divisional Commissioners have been asked to calculate estimated
expenditure based on number of cases of farmers’ suicides found
eligible for aid between January and March in past three years. Once
these estimates are submitted to it, the Government will submit revised
estimates to State Legislature to get sanctioned the amount required
through supplementary demands.
Meanwhile, some days ago, the Revenue Department received certain
guidelines for disposal of cases of farmers’ suicides. According to
sources, the guidelines are ‘impractical’ as they call for disposal of
cases in three days. “How is it possible? If the officials are expected
to verify the details and come to the conclusion if a case of farmer’s
suicide is eligible for aid, they have to check if the farmer ended his
life owing to bad crop, debt burden, or pressure for repayment of debt.
All these things cannot be checked in three days,” he said.
Division-wise allocation for kin in cases of farmers’ suicides
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Division Aid released
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Konkan Rs 2,000
Pune Rs 7,000
Nashik Rs 7,000
Aurangabad Rs 8,000
Amravati Rs 8,000
Nagpur Rs 8,000
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Total Rs 40,000
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