Suicide by farmer over DAP a matter of shame: Selja
Sirsa MP and former Union Minister Kumari Selja today said there could be nothing more shameful for the government than a farmer committing suicide over fertiliser, seeds, or pesticides.
“Farmers are crying out for fertiliser, yet the administration claims there is no shortage. If there is no shortage, then why are farmers unable to access it, leading to such despair that they resort to suicide? The government must change its perspective and policies toward farmers. Farmers are the providers of food for the nation, and their honour and needs should be prioritized.”
Selja visited the family of Ram Bhagat, a farmer from Bhikhewala village in the Uklana Mandi area who committed suicide, to offer condolences. Expressing her sympathies to the bereaved family, she said the government must seriously address the issue of farmers taking such extreme steps for fertiliser, as nothing was more important than a farmer's life.
“The government should act to prevent farmers from feeling forced into such desperate measures.”
Selja said fertiliser sellers' warehouses and stocks needed to be inspected. “If any seller hoards DAP or urea and refuses to sell to farmers, strict action should be taken against them,” she added.
She said while farmers were committing suicide over DAP shortage, CM Nayab Singh Saini claimed there was no shortage in the state, adding that when the government could detect stubble burning from satellites, it could also see the long queues of farmers waiting for fertiliser.
