'No name in loan waiver list, daughter denied promised medical fee concession': Nanded farmer dies by suicide after video appeal to collector

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: A 46-year-old farmer from Borgaon Telang village in Maharashtra’s Nanded district allegedly died by suicide on Monday, shortly after recording and posting a video appealing to the district collector over his exclusion from government relief schemes.Shankar Abanrao Kshirsagar, who had cultivated soybean on his small landholding, said in the video that he had not benefited from successive farm loan-waiver announcements. He also claimed that his daughter, who is pursuing medical education in Pune, had not received the promised fee concession despite submitting an application.According to police, Kshirsagar’s relatives and the police began searching for him after the video came to their notice. He was subsequently found hanging in his field, where he had gone on Monday afternoon.“The farmer hanged himself in his field around 1pm on Monday, and his last rites were scheduled in the evening,” said Pandhari Bodhankar, in-charge of Borgaon police station. No offence had been registered in connection with the death till Monday night.Kshirsagar is survived by his wife, a son pursuing engineering studies and two daughters, one preparing for competitive examinations and the other studying medicine in Pune.Officials began verifying his financial circumstances and eligibility for government relief schemes after the incident. K B Fiske, deputy registrar of cooperative societies, said Kshirsagar had an outstanding crop loan of more than Rs 2 lakh with Maharashtra Gramin Bank.“His details reflect on the online database of govt and his name was expected to appear in the upcoming list of govt loan-waiver scheme,” Fiske said.Nanded collector Rahul Kardile ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.The death has also raised concerns among farmer organisations over the implementation of drought-relief measures in Marathwada, where prolonged dry spells have damaged crops and added to the financial burden on cultivators.Ajit Nawale, national joint secretary of the Kisan Sabha, described the incident as a warning for the government and society.“The farmer suicide in Nanded is a warning sign for govt and society as a whole. The drought-relief measures must not remain on paper. Otherwise, more such unfortunate cases could happen,” he said.The incident comes amid a worsening drought situation in Marathwada. Of the region’s 76 talukas, 74 had earlier been declared drought-hit. Mukhed and Mudkhed in Nanded district, the remaining two talukas, were also recently brought under relief measures.Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news. Download the TOI App.