No Meetings Held on Farmer Suicides, Revels RTI

Indian Express: Bengaluru: Wednesday, 30 December 2015.

Though a series of farmers’ suicides have reported across the state this year, the state agriculture minister seems to have turned a blind eye.

As per information obtained through the Right to Information Act, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda had not convened a single meeting so far to discuss farmers’ suicide. Documents provided by the director of Agriculture Department states: “No documents available in this regard at our office.”

According to information from the department, so far, over 700 farmers have committed suicide across the state. As many as 158 farmers killed themselves in July alone.

RTI activist Marilinga Gowda Malipatil, who got the information through RTI, told Express, “If any meeting was conducted on the issue, the proceedings would have been recorded. When they gave it in writing that they do not have any documents regarding meetings convened by the minister, that means no meetings have not been conducted.”

“I had clearly asked for information on the meetings conducted by the agriculture minister on farmers suicides. But, they said they do not have any document related the meetings,” he added.

Minister Denies Claim

Reacting to this, minister Krishna Byregowda told Express, “We have conducted many meetings across several departments. Even the Chief Minister convened many meetings. But I don’t know whether the proceedings have been officially recorded or not.”