Debt-ridden farmer ends life in Sillod

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A 62-year-old farmer from Vangi Budruk in Sillod tehsil, overwhelmed by debt, consumed pesticide in his own field on Tuesday at around 5 PM in an attempt to end his life.

As soon as the incident came to light, he was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). However, he succumbed to injuries during treatment at 11.30 PM that night. The deceased has been identified as Ganpat Bhimrao Kakade.

Farmer Ganpat Kakade owned two acres of land and had accumulated debts of approximately Rs 3 lakh from private moneylenders and a bank. Although the Government had announced a loan waiver scheme, he was unable to benefit from it due to the complicated terms and conditions.

For the past several days, he had been deeply troubled, worrying about how to arrange funds for soil preparation and seeds for the upcoming Kharif season, and how to repay his existing loans.

He consumed pesticides in his field at 5 PM on Tuesday. His nephew, upon noticing what had happened, immediately rushed him to GMCH. Despite medical efforts, he could not be saved. His last rites were performed at the village crematorium in a grief-stricken atmosphere at 2 pm on Wednesday. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and four brothers.