Monday, April 17 2006 14:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: The Union Agriculture Ministry is soon expected to unveil a plan for farmers in 30 districts across the country, which have witnessed a large number of suicides by ryots, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today (Apr 17, 2006).

"Sharad Pawar (Union Agriculture Minister) has got a plan approved for 30 districts which were gravely affected by suicides in the past. I think he is unveiling that plan in twoweeks' time from today," he told reporters here.

"He (Pawar) had a meeting with Chief Ministers and Agriculture Ministers", Chidambaram said after inaugurating Biocon Biopharmaceuticals, a multi-product biologics facility on the city outskirts.

Chidambaram said non-availability of credit was one of the reason for the suicides.

"We are addressing that issue. State Governments would address other issues. There are (other) reasons why farmers are driven to suicide," he said.