Action sought against bank for farmer’s suicide

PMK founder S Ramadoss, in a statement on Saturday, said, “It is shocking that Thamizharasan, a farmer of Karunakaranallur near Kattumannarkoil in Cuddalore district committed suicide after being humiliated by a private bank- Kotak Mahindra Bank staff, who took away his tractor, as he was unable to repay his loan.” Even as Thamizharasan paid Rs 50,000 out of Rs 90,000 with interest and asked time, the goons, who were sent by the bank, warned him with dire consequence and the farmer was asked to repay remaining amount within 10 days, he said.

“In this context, one thing is clear that Thamizharasan had continuously been settling the due amount without fail. However, the bank again sent henchmen to humiliate him and seize his tractor and this drove him to commit suicide by consuming poison,” Ramadoss said, worrying that even though courts warned of banks resorting to this practice, such incidents had gone unabated.

The PMK leader pointed out that non-payment of sugarcane arrears was also one the factors which led to his death. “The government should immediately file the case against the bank and Rs 25 lakh should be provided as solatium to his family,” he stressed.

Similarly, R Mutharasan, state secretary of CPI, said, “It is a fact that since there has been no rainfall in the last two years, farmers suffer a lot without undertaking paddy cultivation. The farmers completely depend on private financial corporations and banks, as government failed to provide monetary assistance.”

Thamizharasan’s death was a clear indication that the private bank was only functioning for profit and the government should immediately lodge the case and provide solatium to the kin of deceased farmer.