BATHINDA: Two indebted farmers from Bathinda district ended their lives on Tuesday night, prompting claims by BKU Ekta Ugrahan that both the suicides were linked to loss of yield in wheat.
Jaspal Singh (39) from Miserkhana village committed suicide by jumping before a running train. His family owned 12 acres of land and had taken Rs 9 lakh loan from HDFC Bank, Maur Mandi, in Bathinda. He used the entire amount on farming operations, but low yield added to his stress level. According to Jaspal’s family members, he left home late in the night, when they were sleeping.
Gurdeep Singh (28) of Mansa Khurd village near Miserkhana hanged himself in the motor room in the fields.
His family owned only two acres of land and had taken 6 acres on lease. The family owed Rs 3.25 lakh to the bank and primary agricultural cooperative society.
The post mortem of both was conducted at Bathinda civil hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
Bathinda district BKU Ekta Ugrahan general secretary Harjinder Singh Baggi said both the farmers ended their lives after getting lower than expected wheat yield. In many cases, farmers have lost yield up to 4 quintal per acre and those who had taken lands on lease are the worst hit, he said. “We have demanded Rs 300 per quintal as compensation for loss of wheat yield and there can be more trouble if the government takes time in announcing and disbursing the compensation,” he said.
