NAGPUR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of farmers and labourers who died due to pesticide inhalation while spraying crops in Yavatmal district over the last few weeks. An inquiry has also been ordered into the matter under the assistant chief secretary (home).
Eighteen farmers were killed due to inhalation of ‘profefonos’, a pesticide used on cotton, which is the main crop of the district, also known for the highest number of farmers’ suicides. The CM also announced that the government will run an awareness campaign on safe use of pesticides, and distribute free masks.
Besides the 18 deaths, 467 affected people have been admitted in government hospitals. This is not a small number even in the normal course, and unnatural deaths have to be reported to the administration. But, in Yavatmal, no alarm was raised from any quarters till the toll had increased significantly.
Farmers’ organisations and some victims’ kin, however, said the relief amount is too less as compared to the Rs 10 lakh compensation given to those who died in the recent Mumbai stampede.
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