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2,990 Farmers Commit Suicides in Two Punjab Districts in 9 years |
 The Punjab agriculture university (PAU) survey findings spanning nine years (2000-08) blow to smithereens the Punjab government claims on farm suicides in the state. The PAU-commissioned report pegs the tally at around 2,990 in just two districts — Bathinda (1,256) and Sangrur (1,634).
Though no comprehensive official figures on farmer suicides in the area are available, many believe the report, is the first authentic government-sponsored survey on suicides among farmers and farm labourers in the state. Various government agencies, including its revenue and police departments, have earlier put the number of suicides in the state at 130. Independent agencies, however, claim the 1997-2007 suicide count varies between 30,000 to 80,000.
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