Women's commission asks state to aid farmers' widows

Pune: In order to solve the problems of the widows of farmers who have committed suicide, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women has recommended that the state government should take various measures, including increasing compensation.

The commission has also recommended that these women be given preference in schemes such as Gharkul and others.

The commission, with the help of social organisations, held meetings with farmers’ widows in Vidarbha and Marathwada two months’ ago. It came up with recommendations after understanding their problems.

Vijaya Rahatkar, chairperson of the commission, said, “Tenant far-mers don’t get facilities and schemes meant for farmers and hence, changes should be made such that they fall under beneficiaries. Women’s in-laws don’t transfer lands in their names and hence, women don’t get benefits under schemes such as Gharkul Yojana, etc. Lands should hence be transferred in their names.”

Demanding an increa-se in the compensation, Ms Rahatkar said “Compensation given after the death of farmers should be increased to two lakh from the current one lakh. They should be given health cards to get health facilities without spending money at government hospitals. They should be given preferences in the Food Security Act and Employment Guarantee Scheme.”

Ms Rahatkar pointed out the major problems faced the farmers’  widows. “The major issue before these women is of livelihood as they don’t get jobs. Since the lands are not in their names, they don’t get benefits under government schemes. They have to repay loans that their husbands had taken. Hence, we want the state government to start these schemes for them,” she added.

The commission also demand for counselling for these women about their rights, government schemes, legal issues and other problems.

They demand setting up of helplines like Kisan Mitra for aiding farmers’ widows.