GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4849 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23RD JULY, 2019/ SHRAVANA 1, 1941 (SAKA)

FARMERS SUICIDES 4849.

DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has been recording information regarding farmers suicides from 1995 till 2015; (b) whether the NCRB has the data of farmers suicides since 2015; (c) if so, the details thereof, year-wise; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (c): National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) compiles statistics on accidental deaths and suicides from States/Union Territories and disseminates the same through its publication titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ (ADSI). ADSI publications are available from the year 1995 till 2015. ADSI for the year 2016 has not been published. The ADSI captures details on occupation of suicide victims and reasons as recorded in FIRs. Information on suicides till 2013 had, inter-alia, a category on suicides by self-employed persons in Farming/Agriculture. In --2-- L.S.US.Q.NO. 4849 FOR 23.07.2019 2014, NCRB revised the ADSI and published information on suicides by “Farmer/Cultivators” and “Agricultural labourers”. As per the published ADSI, a total of 8007 Farmers/Cultivators had committed suicide in the year 2015. In case of farmers/cultivators, the reasons for suicide include property dispute, marriage related issues, family problems, illness, drug abuse, farming related issues, bankruptcy and other causes.

(d): NCRB had observed certain discrepancies in the data reported for the year 2016 and had requested the States/Union Territories concerned to reverify the data. *****