Mysuru: Farmers have help at hand now. The district Administration today launched a helpline to help them address farming issues. Addressing a meeting with officials of various departments at her office yesterday morning, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha said that a Farmers Helpline had been launched at the Office of Joint Director, Department of Agriculture, located in Command Area Development Authority (CADA) office building, located opposite Maharaja Sanskrit College in city. The helpline, 0821-2442239, will function 24X7 and will assist farmers in Mysuru district.
Shikha said, “only people with thorough knowledge should attend to the calls and they must be able to provide solutions to the farmers. The calls for the helpline will be charged initially but soon it will be made toll free”.
The DC also was apprised by officials in regard to the reasons behind farmers committing suicide, prevention of farmers suicide, bank loans extended to farmers, problems from private money lenders, agriculture related problems and other issues from the officials.
Later, addressing the officials, DC Shikha instructed them to extend the loan period for farmers even during the monsoon season. She said that the banks were extending the loan period only during the drought and the same should be implemented in all seasons.
Shivalingaiah, the lead Bank manager, assured DC Shikha that he would write a letter to RBI seeking permission for the extension of the loan period and once the approval was given, he would implement the same in the district.
Speaking about the reconciliation of loans, Shikha said, “the farmers should not be forced to repay the loan and that the crop insurance should be settled at the earliest. To this Department of Agriculture Joint Director Mahanteshappa said that Rs. 64 lakh towards crop insurance would be released for 7,219 farmers in Mysuru district soon”.
Department of Psychiatry, MMC&RI, Head Dr. Rajagopal said that around 3,000 farmers committed suicide in India every year and it had become a global phenomenon. “Farmers have been committing suicide for various reasons including debts. This can be addressed by counseling them to know the reasons for them taking extreme step”, he added.
DC Shikha also instructed the Mahanteshappa to conduct a meeting with the fertiliser dealers in the district to create awareness on the problems faced by farmers. She also informed the Department of Agriculture officials to conduct janasamparka meeting every week at taluk and hobli level to sensitise people on farmer issues.
Addressing the meeting, SP Abhinav Khare said that the Police Department had already taken measures to conduct janasamparka meetings and also to enlighten them about Karnataka Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2004.
Mysuru Assistant Commissioner Syeda Aiisha, Department of Food and Civil Supplies DD Dr. K. Rameshwarappa, Department of Agriculture Joint Director Dr. Mahanteshappa, Department of Horticulture Assistant Director Nagaraj and other officials were present.
