17 farmers committed suicide in TN in 2 months: Panneerselvam

Chennai: Amidst opposition claims that over 100 farmers have died due to drought in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today said 17 farmers have committed suicide in the last two months due to "various reasons" and reports were awaited from the districts on the "shock" deaths.

"Though they have committed suicide due to various reasons, a sum of Rs 3 lakh each will be provided to their families considering their welfare," he said in a statement and added that the compensation will be paid from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.

Panneerselvam said following reports of some farmers dying of shock due to drought-related damage to crops, detailed reports from the respective district collectors had been sought.

"After getting the reports, due compensation will be provided to their families," he added.

The chief minister's statement comes in the wake of opposition claims that over 100 farmers have died in the state due to shock or committed suicide due to distress over crop failure, following a poor monsoon.

While the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) last week issued a notice to the state over reports of death of 106 farmers, the Madras High Court has also sought to know what steps the state government has taken to prevent farmers' suicides.