Many states, Union Territories not providing details of farmer suicides: MHA in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday blamed states for not publishing national data on causes of suicide in the farming sector, saying the data  was “untenable” as many states and UTs reported “nil” to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on suicides by cultivators and farm labourers after several validations, even while reporting suicides in other professions.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said:  “Due to this limitation, national data on the causes of suicide in the farming sector was untenable and not published separately,” he said in a written reply. Reddy was responding to questions posed by Congress MP PL Punia, who also asked whether the NCRB has done away with enlisting causes for farmers’ suicides.

According to the latest NCRB data on accidental deaths and suicides, 10,281 farmers committed suicide in 2019, down from 10,357 in 2018.The suicide rate in the farming sector accounted for 7.4 per cent of the total suicides in the country — 5,957 farmers and 4,324 agricultural labourers, the NCRB said in the report containing the latest data.Last week, the Centre faced immense backlash after the government said there was no data on migrants who died on their way back to homes during the coronavirus lockdown.

(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call AASRA's 24x7 Helpline: +91-9820466726 for assistance.)