Is it wise decision to increase compensation for farmers?

Telangana Government has increased the compensation being paid to families of the farmers committed suicides due to financial problems. So far, it was paying Rs.1.50 lakhs to each farmer’s family and it is now increased to Rs. 6 lakhs. Government has issued orders for this on Thursday. This steep hike in compensation is applicable from June 2nd, 2014, that is from Telangana Formation Day. Government will pay the balance amount to all those farmers’ families which were given Rs.1.50 lakhs earlier. From now onwards, if any farmer commits suicide due to financial problems, Telangana government will pay Rs.6 lakhs to farmer's family.

Telangana government is reportedly taken this decision succumbing to opposition parties pressures in the state assembly.

But, is it a wise decision anyway? This huge luring amount may encourage the beleaguered farmers to commit suicides with the hope that their sacrifices may help their families to bail out from their miserable situation. They may think that they can’t earn that much amount to clear their financial problems while alive but surely can help their families to get it with their sacrifices. Hence, if there is any steep raise in farmers’ suicides observed in the coming days, government has to blame itself for taking such wrong decision.

Telangana government should try to find ways to help the farmers while they are alive instead of helping their families after their deaths. TRS has strong cadre statewide. It can seek their help to identify the beleaguered farmers and offer them timely help to save their valuable lives.