Karnataka loan waiver comes cropper: Two debt-ridden farmers commit suicide in 24 hours

Despite announcement of loan waiver made to farmers by Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, number of farmers committing suicide in the state is still increasing. Currently, two farmers from Gadag in north Karnataka have committed suicide for not being able to re-pay the loan taken for agricultural purposes. Kashappa Lamani, 56, was found hanging from a tree on his farm. He is said to have taken a loan of Rs 2 lakh - Rs 5 lakh in Karnataka Grameena Vikas Bank and had taken an additional loan of Rs 3 lakh from money lenders. He had grown sunflower and corn with this money, but as his crop withered, and he lost all the money, he took the extreme step in his farm. Rangappa, 59, committed suicide in his farm in Koppad by consuming poison. He is said to have taken a loan of Rs 3 lakh from State Bank Of India. Shirahatti MLA Ramanna Lamani and officers have visited the place. Two cases in this regard have been filed at Shirahatti and Lakshmeshwara Police stations.