Bangalore, Feb 20 (UNI) As many as 1,301 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka during the last three years due to various reasons like debt burden, crop loss and family problems, State Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur informed the Legislative Council today.

Replying to questions raised by BJP's Aravinda Limbavalli and Vimala Gowda, he said that of the 1,301 farmer suicides, the families of 475 ryots have been given a cash compensation of Rs one lakh each, 47 cases were under investigation and 779 cases rejected.

Mr Kashempur said the State Government had taken several steps to prevent farmer suicides like distributing loans at four per cent interest rate, market intervention to purchase farm produce in the event of price crash and disbursing seeds at 75 per cent subsidised rate. The Union Government had announced a special package of Rs 2,600 crore to be spent in three years in six districts where more number of farmers suicide incidences were reported. The State Government had appealed to the Centre to extend the package to additional 13 districts and enhance the grants.

He said the State Government had sent a fresh proposal to the Centre to strengthen the infrastructure in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and irrigation sectors at a cost of Rs 6,900 crore and was awaiting reply. The Centre had released Rs 50 lakhs as special grant to distribute aid to the next of kins of the farmers who have committed suicide. The Centre's assistance was in addition to the State's cash compenstion, he clarified.

BJP's Shobha Karandlage, JD(S)' Srikante Gowda and Independent member Arun Machaiah also participated in the discussion.

UNI