Thaindian News

Kolkata, Jan 21 (IANS) Urging the West Bengal government to take proper steps to stop the ongoing suicides of the farmers, Left Front chairman Biman Bose Saturday expressed fear that it could lead to food crisis.

“In last 3 months, around 25 farmers have committed suicide. The state government should take proper steps immediately to stop this trail of suicides. If this agricultural crisis goes on, then it will obviously lead to food crisis,” Bose said.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denied that heavy agricultural debts were driving farmers to end their lives. She claimed that the suicides were due to “personal loans and family problems”.

Bose flayed Banerjee for her comment.

“The way the state government is reacting to these suicides is shocking. It is not true that they have committed suicide due to personal loans. The farmers are unable to sell their agricultural goods. We have decided that a Left Front delegation from the districts and the assembly will visit the places where these incidents of suicide have occurred.”

“They will talk to the family members and locals to find out whether the reasons are personal or the victims took their own lives due to agricultural debts or other issues,” said Bose.

Bose also blamed the inactive panchayats as a reason behind the poor people not being able to get work under the rural employment guarantee act.

“In many places due to the inactiveness of the panchayats, the rural people are not able to get work under the rural employment act. This is also one of the reasons of suicide.”