AMBALAPUZHA: Sundaresan (55), a farmer from Purakkad Panchayat's sixth ward in Kanakamangalam attempted suicide by consuming pesticide at his residence. Alarmed relatives rushed him to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.

Sundaresan, seeking to build a home received Rs 2 lakh under the LIFE scheme. However, construction costs soared to Rs 4 lakh upon completing the foundation. He pursued a loan at Ambalapuzha Canara Bank submitting necessary documents but faced setbacks. The bank insisted on settling his car loan from another institution before approving a new loan, which Sundaresan complied with. Despite his efforts, the Canara Bank denied the home loan leading to his desperate act.

Presently, Sundaresan and his family reside in a shed. His mother Kanakamma is bedridden, his wife Deepa sustained a leg injury in a car accident and his son Akhil resides with them. They cultivate leased land spanning four acres in the grazing block and an additional acre in the Appathikkari field. However, payment for 75 quintals of paddy, totaling Rs 2 lakh owed to Supplyco last month, remains pending.