Report of Fact Finding Team on Vidharbha Regional Disparities and Rural Distress in Maharashtra with Particular Reference to Vidharbha

Abstract

A number of suicides have been reported from Yavatmal, Akola, Amravati, VVardha, Buldana and Washim districts of Vidarbha area. Initially reports from the press suggested high indebtedness as the reason for suicides. Subsequently it was assumed that the cessation of Monopoly Purchase by Maharashtra for purchase of cotton was a major immediate trigger and had led to these suicides as farmers were not getting remunerative returns on cotton. Doubts were also raised about the yield actually obtained from Bt. Cotton. The possibility of lower returns from rain-fed areas was also raised.