May 12, 2006

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh ji,

I thank you for your prompt reply to my letter of 20th April, in which I had suggested that a Joint Parliamentary Committee be set up to examine the grave phenomenon of large-scale suicides by distressed farmers in various states.

I welcome the fact that the Ministry of Agriculture is in the process of preparing a rehabilitation package for 30 identified districts, which had a high incidence of suicides.

Nevertheless, I am of the view that this rehabilitation package, however generous, can only serve as a necessary short-term intervention. Our distressed kisan community no doubt needs succor in the short and immediate term. But of far greater importance is the comprehensive set of long-term policy and programmatic initiatives which can address the problem at its roots. I feel that a JPC on this subject can be useful to a substantial manner. Besides, it will also demonstrate to crores of India’s kisans that the highest elective body in India’s democracy is sensitive and responsive to their woes.

Additionally, since JPC will be an all-party body, it will help in evolving a good degree of national consensus on what is undoubtedly an entrenched and worsening national problem.

I therefore urge you to reconsider my earlier suggestion for the constitution of a JPC to study large-scale farmers’ suicides and to make appropriate recommendations of both short-term and long-term nature.

Warm regards,