NHRC issues notice to Maharashtra govt and Centre over farmers' deaths in Yavatmal

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to Centre and Maharashtra government over death of several farmers in Yavatmal due to to an infection caused by spraying of a pesticide on the cotton crops.

It has asked chief secretary of Maharashtra and union agriculture ministry secretary to send a detailed report within four weeks.

NHRC has also asked Maharashtra to ensure that the best treatment is provided free of cost to the farmers, who are either admitted to the hospital or taking treatment as an out-patient.

It has also asked the state government to inform about the steps taken to stop recurrence of such incidents and the action against the guilty officers.
"Most of the farmers in the country are not adequately literate and are relying on the government agencies for the safe use of the agricultural products and the ancillary techniques. The victim farmers have fallen prey to the callous and negligent attitude of the government departments. It appears that due to the lack of proper awareness about such a complicated technology for spraying pesticides on cotton crops, the farmers' rights to life and livelihood have been grossly violated," the NHRC has observed.

The state government has already announced an inquiry into the deaths of 18 Yavatmal farmers and farm labourers. The state agriculture minister has said that the farmers have not been following the directions for wearing gloves and protective clothing. The government has decided to distribute free of cost masks to them. The state has also announced compensation of Rs 12 lakh for the families of the victims.