As many as 23 farmers from various villages in the Yavatmal region have sought permission from President Pratibha Patil to kill themselves after poorly-organised coal mines and transportation have dealt another blow to the agricultural community. Coal dust has settled on the top soil and on crops, jeopardising an industry that is already in peril, reports the India Times website.

Kavdu Khamnakar, a farmer from Brahmni village said: “The open cast mines have already reduced the ground water level and the heaps of ashes have left us with no option but to end our lives.”

There are 43 clauses on the inquiry list a suicidal farmer must meet in order for their death wish to be given the go-ahead by government officials - and so to enable their families to receive compensation. D.B. Naik, a kisan sabha leader in Yavatmal, has mocked the process: "They want a signed statement from the victim that debt and [the] Government drove him to suicide."

At the end of August, at least nine farmers committed suicide in a span of two days.