Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of farmer suicide in Thakazhy, GR Anil, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, has come up with an explanation that the burden of the PRS loan by no means fall upon the farmer. 

The minister reminded that paddy procurement is a joint operation executed by the central government and the respective state governments. “Out of the total Rs 28.80 given to the farmers for every kilogram of rice procured from them, Rs 20.60 is contributed by the centre and Rs 7.50 is put in by the respective state government. However, the centre releases the funds only after the distribution of procured rice via ration shops. Now this might take up to six months. PRS loans were introduced to nullify the financial stress on farmers during the interim period,” GR Anil said.

The minister said that the government has now sanctioned Rs 200 crores for the purpose.

“The Kerala government shares timely updates with the central government on matters concerning paddy procurement. However, Kerala has distributed special rice on multiple occasions, and the centre has penalised the state in each of those instances,” the minister noted.

In a tragic incident, a farmer, K.G Prasad, (55), committed suicide in Thakazhy. He had consumed poison on Friday evening. Although he was taken to a private hospital in Thiruvalla, his life could not be saved. K.G Prasad is the district president of Kisan Sangh, a BJP farmer’s organisation. 

Police have found Prasad’s suicide note where he holds the government and three banks responsible for his death. In 2011, Prasad had taken an agricultural loan and this amount was repaid as a one-time settlement in 2021. However, it is reported that the bank loan was not granted to Prasad citing his low CIBIL score.

When the matter was investigated, it became clear that the PRS loan arrears had caused Prasad’s CIBIL score to drop. In connection with the procurement of rice, the government had given Prasad Rs 3 lakh as PRS loan. However, as the government did not repay this amount, Prasad was unable to avail other loans. These problems led to a major financial crisis for Prasad. An audio recording of Prasad crying and explaining his plight has surfaced.

The minister has now come up with an explanation justifying the state government.