(a) whether the Government is aware that the children of the farmers who committed suicide do not receive financial and physical support through mental counseling; and
(b) if so, the details of rehabilitation and support extended to the families and children of such farmers to enable them to cope with acute trauma during the last five years?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): State Governments provide relief to families of farmers who commit suicide. As per information available from the States, the details of relief etc. being provided are as follows:
• State Government of Maharashtra gives ex-gratia relief of Rs. 1.00 lakh to the heirs of the deceased farmer. The three norms of eligibility for ex-gratia are crop failure, indebtedness and harassment due to inability to pay agriculture related loans.
• The Punjab Government provides Rs. 3.00 lakh compensation to victims’ family w.e.f 23/07/2015.
• Government of Andhra Pradesh provides Rs. 5.00 lakh compensation to the family members of the deceased farmers. Of this Rs. 1.50 lakh is one time settlement to wipe off loans/ liabilities and Rs. 3.50 lakh towards rehabilitation of the family members.
• The Government of Telangana provides ex-gratia relief of Rs. 5.00 lakh to the family of the deceased farmer towards rehabilitation and Rs. 1.00 lakh as a onetime settlement to wipe off all the liabilities of the family.
• In Karnataka an amount of Rs. 5.00 lakh relief is provided to the family w.e.f. 1.4.2015. The children of the deceased get free education up to post graduation including hostel facility.
Under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), no financial assistance is provided to individuals or families of farmers who commit suicide. However, the Government is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 517 districts of the country for detection, management and treatment of mental disorders/ illness. Support is provided under DMHP for recruitment of Mental Health professionals at District, CHC & PHC level for providing various services including, inter-alia, suicide prevention services. The DMHP has been restructured to include additional components like suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counseling in schools and colleges. Support is also provided for Central/ State Mental Health Authorities, Research and Training and for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.
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