Congress president and Wayanad MP, Rahul Gandhi has reportedly written to Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan to provide assistance to the family of a farmer who committed suicide allegedly due to non-repayment of loans, and also to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
The action comes after the suicide of 53-year-old Dinesh Kumar, a farmer this week. In his letter to the CM, Gandhi stated that after speaking to Kumar's wife, he learnt that the farmer was under severe stress due to his inability to repay the loans which led to the suicide.
Gandhi wrote, “Dinesh's case is not an isolated one. There has been a spate of farmer suicides in Wayanad due to an inability to repay loans.”
He also added that though the state government has announced a moratorium on farm loans till December 2019, farmers are still under pressure by loan collection agents.
He requested an enquiry into the matter and also asked the state to extend financial support to his family.
CM Vijayan later responded to Rahul's request through a tweet and said that he has sought a report from the administration:
.@RahulGandhi, Wayanad MP, requested an enquiry into a farmer suicide case. Have asked the DC to submit a report. Also, the loans from commercial banks come under the SARFAESI Act & it's for the GoI to take a stand. We hope that he will join us in raising the issue in parliament