Bangalore, Feb 11 (UNI) Mata Amritanandamayi Math has planned to launch a Vidyamritam, a scheme for about 2000 students from farming families who had been hit by the 'agrarian crisis' in the state.

Ramakrishnananda Puri Swamiji of the Math told reporters here today that the scheme was part of Rs 200 crore plan to be introduced in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala -- the most affected states by farmer suicides in the country.

He said that the scheme had been already launched in Kerala for 3000 students with a stipend of Rs 200 a month to complete their school education.

The scheme would be launched in the state on February 14 when Mata Amritanandamayi, the founder of the Math, would visit the city.

He said that the scheme plans to cover more than one lakh students from all over the country in the near future. The problem could not be solved through economic package alone. What is needed is social and spiritual interventions so that the farmers realise that the suicide is not the way out, he said.

There was a need for personal counseling of the vulnerable persons, he said.

UNI SIV RS HVB1407